Groups mobilize against Oregon ‘sanctuary’ law repeal

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Immigrant rights groups, law enforcement leaders and faith organizations are mobilizing against a measure that would repeal Oregon’s sanctuary state law.

Members of a newly formed political action group called Oregonians United Against Profiling held news conferences across the state Monday, including one outside the Deschutes County Courthouse in Bend, to voice their opposition to the proposed measure.

Opponents of the 31-year-old law limiting police coordination on immigration arrests have turned in 105,000 signatures to state elections officials and are waiting to see if Initiative Petition 22 will qualify for the November ballot.

The statewide sanctuary law is the oldest in the nation. A battle over its future could put Oregon in the middle of the national immigration debate.

Oregon law currently prohibits state agencies from inquiring about a person’s immigration status if they haven’t committed another crime.

District Attorney John Hummel was among those speaking at Monday’s Bend news conference. Our report is coming up on NewsChannel 21 Fox @ 4 and KTVZ at 5, 6 and 7.