SALEM — “We will not retreat,” vowed Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday, issuing an executive order that forbids all state agencies and employees from helping federal immigration officials locate or apprehend undocumented immigrants.
The move comes nearly a week after President Donald Trump issued his own executive order banning travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S.
Though Oregon law already forbids state and local law enforcement agencies from using public resources to find or arrest those whose only crime is being in the country without proper documentation, Brown’s order goes a step further in solidifying the state’s sanctuary status by expanding the law to all agencies.
The governor’s order also forbids state agencies from using public resources from helping to create a religious registry, and makes it illegal for state agencies to discriminate based on immigration status.
Brown also asked Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to “explore legal remedies” available to “resist” Trump’s travel ban in court.
If Oregon sues, it could become the sixth state to file a lawsuit against the White House, joining Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Washington. Washington, which filed its suit on Monday, was the first to seek a stay on the ban.
Oregon Deputy Attorney General Fred Boss said Trump’s travel ban is illegal, and the state would announce its legal plan next week.
Brown’s announcement follows an email from her campaign that called on supporters to join her “social action team” and resist Trump.
Last month, Oregon was left off an early list of priority infrastructure projects to receive federal funding.
— Anna Marum
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