Portland is a sanctuary city under three layers of law: (1) Oregon's 1987 statewide sanctuary statute ORS 181A.820 (originally ORS 181.850), the first such law in the nation; (2) the 2021 Sanctuary Promise Act expanding statewide protections; and (3) Portland's own sanctuary code -- Council Resolution 37277 (2017) and Ordinance 192115 (2025) adding PCC Chapter 23.20, which codifies the city's commitment to non-cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement.
Three layers of sanctuary law apply in Portland. STATE LAW (1987): ORS 181A.820 (originally enacted as ORS 181.850 by 1987 House Bill 2314, signed by Governor Goldschmidt) provides that 'No law enforcement agency of the State of Oregon or of any political subdivision of the state shall use agency moneys, equipment or personnel for the purpose of detecting or apprehending persons whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship residing in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.' Oregon was the first state in the country to adopt this restriction. STATE LAW EXPANSION (2021): The Sanctuary Promise Act (HB 3265) strengthened ORS 181A.820 by adding civil-action remedies, prohibiting state courts and agencies from collecting immigration status, and barring transfer of inmates to ICE without a judicial warrant. Enforcement is by the Oregon Department of Justice; complaints may be filed via the DOJ Sanctuary Promise hotline. CITY: Portland City Council adopted Resolution 37277 on March 22, 2017, declaring Portland 'a Welcoming City, Sanctuary City, and an Inclusive City for all,' directing all bureaus to refuse civil immigration enforcement assistance and adopting equity training. In 2025, Council passed Ordinance 192115 codifying these commitments by adding new PCC Chapter 23.20 ('Sanctuary City Status Protections') to formally restrict use of city resources for federal civil immigration enforcement and require reporting on attempted ICE contacts. Federal criminal warrants signed by a judge are still honored.
A Portland or other Oregon law enforcement agency that uses personnel, equipment, or funds to enforce federal civil immigration law violates ORS 181A.820 and the 2021 Sanctuary Promise Act, triggering civil actions under ORS 181A.823, Oregon DOJ investigation, and equitable relief. City employees who cooperate in violation of PCC Chapter 23.20 may face disciplinary action under city personnel rules. Honoring a federal civil immigration detainer without a judicial warrant exposes the city to civil liability.
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Portland, OR
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Portland, OR
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