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City of Bend says ICE has not contacted officials amid rumors of detainment in the area

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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Amid national raids and reports of federal immigration officers in Central Oregon, KTVZ News has been actively working to confirm what's been happening.

The City of Bend told KTVZ News they have not been informed by ICE of any actions being taken in the city.

The state of Oregon has been declared a sanctuary state since 1987. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Sanctuary Promise Act, increasing safety and protection for immigrants.

According to the official Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website, under Oregon's sanctuary laws, county and law enforcement officials are prohibited from providing ICE with non-public information about "criminal aliens" necessary for federal law enforcement, including the release dates of those individuals aliens from local jails.

While our investigation continues, local leaders are speaking out as fears heighten in the community.

Deschutes County Sheriff Kent Van der Kamp tells us the agency does not inform or work with federal immigration officers, due to Oregon's state law:

"The Deschutes Sheriff’s Office does not and cannot inquire about citizenship documents, status, or share such information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," Van der Kamp said. "These provisions are embedded in the DCSO policy manual and are essential to ensuring that our practices respect the rights and dignity of all individuals.

The sheriff continued, "Additionally, the Deschutes County Jail only accepts bookings of inmates for criminal charges and/or judicial criminal arrest warrants signed by a judge.  DCSO will not accept or house an inmate solely for the violation of federal immigration law or detain a person with only an administrative detainer request."

Bend-La Pine Schools Director of Communications Scott Maben told us: "I can confirm that we have not had ICE agents visit any of our schools," and any reports to the contrary appear to be incorrect.

The Bend-La Pine School Board voted on Jan. 14 to adopt the Resolution to Affirm Rights of Undocumented Students and Protocols for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Access to Schools, as well as listed rules for school staff if an immigration raid were to occur:

Redmond Schools also confirmed to KTVZ News Tuesday there have been no raids.

Below are the state's sanctuary laws:

  • You do not have to share and you should not be asked about your country of birth, immigration, or citizenship status by state or local law enforcement or government agencies. There are exceptions.
  • You may not be investigated or interrogated by state or local law enforcement for immigration enforcement purposes.
  • Your country of birth, immigration or citizenship status information should not be stored or shared by state or local government agencies or law enforcement. There are exceptions.
  • Your information should not be shared by state or local law enforcement to assist in detaining you or any individual for immigration purposes.
  • All requests from federal agencies to state or local government agencies or law enforcement about immigration enforcement without a judicial order should be documented, reported and denied by the local agency receiving the request.
  • You cannot be arrested from a court facility, or while you are traveling to or from court, with any immigration warrant except a judicial warrant or order signed by a judge (for more information about different types of warrants, see our Glossary).
  • State or local law enforcement or public agencies must refuse and reject collaboration with federal authorities for immigration enforcement purposes, including setting up traffic stops or traffic perimeters to enforce federal immigration laws/orders.
  • You can access certain government services without being asked about your immigration status.
  • You can take legal action against violators of Oregon’s sanctuary laws.
  • If Oregon’s sanctuary laws are being violated by a state or local police officer, state trooper, sheriff’s deputy, either during their employment time or off duty time, or by a government worker, you can report the violation to the Sanctuary Promise Hotline.

Article Topic Follows: Government-politics

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Isabella Warren

Isabella Warren is a multimedia journalist for NewsChannel 21. Learn more about Isabellahere.

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