In this 2017 photo, Cynthia Kendoll, left, talks with volunteers at the Oregon State Fair booth of Oregonians for Immigration Reform. The group is gathering signatures for a proposed ballot measure that seeks to overturn the state's 30-year-old sanctuary law.
Jeff Mapes / OPB
UPDATE (Aug. 27, 4:10 p.m. PT) – Nearly half of the sheriffs in Oregon have signed onto a letter asking voters to repeal the state's 30-year-old sanctuary law this fall.
The letter released Monday says the state's "statute undermines respect for law in significant ways."
Sixteen sheriffs signed the letter and suggest that immigrants cause crimes that can't be policed because of the state's law. However, nothing in Oregon's sanctuary law prohibits police officers or sheriffs deputies from enforcing the law, investigating crimes or arresting suspects.
Numerous research studies show immigrants actually cause fewer or about the same number of crimes as people born in the United States.
"That is a finding that has held since the early 20th century," said Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration policy analyst at the Libertarian-leaning Cato Institute during an OPB interview in March.
In their letter, the sheriffs write that being able to work with "federal partners" like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would give them more policing options.
"(The sanctuary law) tells illegal immigrants that Oregon considers immigration-law violations so inconsequential as to be unworthy of police and sheriffs' attention," the letter states. "In doing so, it legitimizes those violations and encourages more."
In November, voters will be asked in Ballot Measure 105 whether or not to repeal the state's sanctuary law.
- Clatsop County Sheriff Tomas Bergin
- Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt
- Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward
- Morrow County Sheriff Ken Matlack
- Sherman County Sheriff Brad Lohrey
- Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan
- Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe
- Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin
- Curry County Sheriff John Ward
- Coos County Sheriff Craig Zanni
- Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber
- Union County Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen
- Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer
- Wheeler County Sheriff Chris Humphrey
- Lake County Sheriff Mike Taylor
- Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson