Oregon Governor Defies U.S. Attorney General on Sanctuary Laws Amidst Federal Showdown

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has firmly reiterated the state’s commitment to its sanctuary laws, directly challenging a recent ultimatum from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. In a letter issued this week, Governor Kotek rejected Bondi’s assertions that Oregon is obstructing federal immigration enforcement and confirmed the state has no intention of repealing its long-standing protections.

This defiant stance comes after Attorney General Bondi last week threatened legal action against Oregon and numerous other sanctuary jurisdictions. Bondi demanded that these states and cities commit to repealing any laws deemed to impede federal immigration enforcement by a recent Tuesday deadline.

Governor Kotek’s response underscores Oregon’s compliance with federal law while maintaining adherence to state statutes, stating, “The State of Oregon is in compliance with federal law and will continue to follow state law. Therefore, no ‘immediate initiatives’ are necessary to eliminate laws that impede federal immigration enforcement.”

Echoing the state’s position, officials in Portland, which also received a similar warning from the U.S. Attorney General, have likewise affirmed their commitment to existing sanctuary policies. Portland City Attorney Robert Taylor stated the city complies with all applicable laws and will continue to do so.

Oregon, which first enacted sanctuary laws in 1987, has a history of strong public support for these policies, with voters rejecting a repeal measure in 2018. Governor Kotek, a progressive Democrat, has consistently affirmed her support for Oregon’s sanctuary status, especially since President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year, emphasizing that federal immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, not the state.

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