Oregon was the first US sanctuary state, with ORS 181A.820 barring state and local police from using resources to enforce federal immigration law, reinforced by Portland's own sanctuary-city policy under PCC 3.130.
Oregon Revised Statute 181A.820, enacted in 1987, prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources to detect or apprehend people whose only violation of law is federal immigration status. Voters reaffirmed the law in 2018 by rejecting Measure 105, which sought to repeal it. Portland's sanctuary-city policy under PCC 3.130 layers additional protections, barring city employees from inquiring about immigration status or sharing such information with ICE absent a judicial warrant. The Sanctuary Promise Act (2021) added complaint procedures.
City or county employees who detain, transport, or share information with ICE absent a valid judicial warrant violate state law and city policy, exposing the agency to civil liability and individual discipline.
See how Portland's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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