Multnomah County Hit With Sanctuary Law Lawsuit as Chair Declares Emergency Over ICE Enforcement Impacts
After a lawsuit alleging that Multnomah County and the sheriff’s department violated Oregon’s Sanctuary Law was filed on Wednesday, the County indicated on Thursday that Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared an emergency in response to ongoing impacts from federal immigration enforcement.
Lawsuit Claiming Multnomah County And Sheriff Violated Oregon Sanctuary Laws
On Wednesday, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) and Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) filed a lawsuit claiming Multnomah County and the sheriff’s department violated Oregon’s Sanctuary Law by detaining people held for immigration purposes.
The plaintiffs requested that the court direct Multnomah County jail to modify its contract with the US Marshals Service, or, if the Marshals Service refuses, to terminate the contract.
The contract allows people to be held for immigration purposes even after they post bail, complete a sentence, or are ordered released by a judge in contravention of Oregon’s Sanctuary Laws.
| Topic | General rule | Key exception |
|---|---|---|
| Using resources for immigration enforcement | State and local law enforcement cannot use money, equipment, or personnel to detect or apprehend people for federal immigration enforcement. | Arrest allowed in limited criminal warrant situations described in statute. |
| Agreements to detain | Law enforcement agencies cannot enter into new formal or informal agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain a person. | Narrow exceptions depend on the type of order or legal requirement. |
| Asking about immigration status | Public bodies generally cannot ask for or collect immigration or citizenship status information. | Allowed when required for a criminal investigation, a court proceeding, or benefit eligibility. |
| Sharing custody and release information | Sharing information about people in custody with federal immigration authorities is limited. | Judicial subpoenas qualify, administrative subpoenas do not. |
The dispute under the contract arises from the Trump Administration’s deputization of US Marshals earlier this year as immigration agents.
The plaintiffs want the court to stop what is known as “ICE holds” and also aim to bar the County from entering into another agreement similar to this one in the future.
Source: TRAC Reports, ICE detainer data by state (Jan 20 to Feb 17, 2025)
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Multnomah County Chair Declares Emergency Over ICE Impact On County
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared an emergency in response to ongoing impacts from federal immigration enforcement, seeking increased flexibility and direction as the County continues to respond to harmful ICE activity.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Multnomah County, Oregon (population estimate 2024 and ACS 2019 to 2023)
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In the Executive Rule 432 (208.3 KB) emergency declaration, which goes to the vote on Dec. 18, the Chair noted that over 13% of Multnomah County residents were born outside the United States.
The emergency declaration seeks increased flexibility in responding to the harmful impacts of federal immigration enforcement. In her declaration, Vega Pederson emphasized the County’s diversity and its commitment to serving all residents with dignity.
If approved on Dec. 18, the emergency declaration would allocate $250,000 toward human and legal services to address these impacts and ensure compliance with Oregon’s sanctuary statutes, while aligning with regional partners who recognize the detrimental effects of federal immigration policies.