OPB: Knopp, Breese-Iverson plan to seek rollback of Oregon’s sanctuary protections, ease immigration enforcement
SALEM, Ore. (OPB/KTVZ) – Two Central Oregon lawmakers who are Republican leaders in the Oregon Legislature said in a memo they will attempt next year to roll back some of the state’s sanctuary protections, making it easier for officials to help enforce immigration law, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Friday.
In a memo circulated Wednesday, state Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, wrote to Republican colleagues that Oregon has been “significantly impacted” by a surge of illegal entries at the nation’s southern border, “particularly through the influx of fentanyl and other illicit drugs…” OPB reported.
The solution, Knopp and Breese-Iverson say, is to make it easier for local law enforcement agencies and other Oregon public officials to collaborate with federal authorities to enforce immigration law.
The pair plans to introduce what OPB called "a longshot bill" during next year’s session, rolling back the so-called Sanctuary Promise Act. Passed in 2021 by Democrats who still hold majorities in both chambers, the law strengthened Oregon’s decades-old sanctuary protections, creating explicit prohibitions on local officials aiding federal immigration authorities.
“We are committed to bringing a repeal of the Sanctuary Promise Act in the 2025 legislative session,” the memo says. “Additionally, we believe it is essential to continue discussing and developing solutions that may go further to fully address this border crisis effectively.”
Earlier this spring, a group of 16 Republicans — both sitting lawmakers and legislative candidates — traveled to Arizona in order to get a first-hand look at the state’s struggles with immigration.
Knopp and Breese-Iverson spearheaded the Arizona trip, and addressed their memo to those who attended. It included a rundown of other laws that Oregon lawmakers have passed in recent years, including millions set aside for grants to refugee resettlement agencies, and a bill that created a new state office to support immigrants and refugees.
“During our Arizona trip earlier this year, we repeatedly heard that ‘every state is a border state,’” the lawmakers wrote. “This has become increasingly relevant as the Biden administration appears to be taking executive action on the border this week. It is clear we must address the ongoing border crisis.”
Knopp will no longer be a member of the Senate next year. He is barred from running for reelection after participating in a six-week walkout during the 2023 session. Knopp’s office told OPB the lawmaker could still file a bill for next year prior to leaving office in January.
