QuickTake:

The Trump administration released a list of sanctuary jurisdictions last week, saying the counties and cities, including Eugene and Lane County, are “defying federal immigration law.” After a national sheriffs’ organization complained, the feds yanked the list.

The Trump administration last week placed Eugene and Lane County on a national list of sanctuary jurisdictions and demanded they follow immigration law. But by Monday, the administration had removed the list.  

In general, sanctuary jurisdictions are states, counties or cities with policies that limit or prevent local law enforcement agencies from aiding federal authorities with immigration-related cases, like deportations. The goal of sanctuary jurisdictions is to protect undocumented residents. 

Trump’s administration has targeted sanctuary jurisdictions, saying in publishing the list they “undermine the rule of law and endanger the lives of Americans and law enforcement.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published the list of cities and counties in 37 states, including Oregon, and declared they are “defying federal immigration law.” The list came in response to President Trump’s April 28 executive order that requires the publication of a list of states and local jurisdictions that “obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws,” according to the agency. 

The repercussions of being on such a list could carry more weight than just being the target of critical words. Trump’s administration has tried to tie his immigration policy to federal purse strings, including with this executive order: The April 28 order directs the federal government to identify and terminate federal grants and contracts received by sanctuary jurisdictions, though the list gave no indication of what that might look like.

List criteria were unclear

The agency’s effort to comply with Trump’s order misfired shortly after its release Thursday. Within a day, the National Sheriffs’ Association sharply criticized the list, saying it lacks transparency and accountability. 

“This list was created without any input, criteria of compliance, or a mechanism for how to object to the designation,” association President Kieran Donahue, of Canyon County, Idaho, said in a statement. “Sheriffs nationwide have no way to know what they must do or not do to avoid this arbitrary label. The completion and publication of this list has not only violated the core principles of trust, cooperation, and partnership with fellow law enforcement, but it also has the potential to strain the relationship between sheriffs and the White House administration.”

Donahue said administration officials could not explain who compiled, proofed and verified the list before its publication during a Friday meeting the organization had with the federal agency. 

Homeland Security and DHS “should publicly denounce the report to demonstrate accountability,” Donahue said. “The sheriffs of this country feel betrayed.”

Sunday, the Trump administration unpublished the list without offering any explanation. In Lane County and Eugene, officials are monitoring the issue and uncertain what lies ahead. 

“Lane County officials were made aware last week of the County’s inclusion in the now-removed list of ‘sanctuary’ states, cities and counties briefly published by the Department of Homeland Security,” Devon Ashbridge, a spokesperson for Lane County, said in a statement Monday. “The criteria for that initial list has not been made clear. Lane County will continue to follow the requirements of state law, including the Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act.  Any perceived conflict between state and federal law will need to be addressed by the courts.”

Oregon’s long sanctuary history

In April, Lane County commissioners voted 3-2 to pass a statement that upholds Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act. 

It’s a state law that has a long history: In 1987, Oregon became the first state to pass a law that prohibits state and local law enforcement and agencies from aiding the federal government with immigration enforcement actions. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature strengthened that with the Sanctuary Promise Act, which provides more protections for immigrants and increased transparency about how the government interacts with federal immigration officials. 

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, criticized the administration’s move.

“Lane County and Eugene are complying with Oregon’s sanctuary law, which has been on the books for over 30 years,” Hoyle said in a statement. “The federal government’s attempt to strong-arm local law enforcement undermines the trust they’ve built in our communities. I am against this obvious overreach and will continue to fight for policies that keep our communities safe, inclusive and free from political intimidation.”

Tim Svenson, executive director of the Oregon Sheriffs’ Association, said the state organization has been monitoring the issue. In an interview, Svenson said sheriffs enforce the law but do not set federal or state laws. 

He said his organization has been in contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to talk about how Oregon law enforcement and ICE can work together. While Oregon is a sanctuary state, law enforcement legally can work with ICE in other circumstances, such as in cases with arrest warrants for crimes, he said. 

The DHS list identified other counties and cities in Oregon as sanctuary jurisdictions but not all of them. Other cities were: Portland, Hood River and Beaverton. Fifteen of Oregon’s 36 counties were on the list, including Lane County. 

Elle O’Casey, Eugene’s communications director, noted the list disappeared and there is no additional clarity from the White House.

In 2017, the Eugene City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that provides protections for Eugene residents, including immigrants. The ordinance prevents Eugene from using city resources to detect or apprehend people when the only violation is tied to immigration laws. The ordinance, while modeled after state law, stands regardless of whether the state law continues. In 2016, the council also unanimously passed a resolution that expresses a commitment to protecting refugees and celebrates their contributions to the community.

DHS didn’t respond to an inquiry from Lookout Eugene-Springfield about why the list was pulled or answer questions about whether the agency will release a new list. 

Ben Botkin covers politics and policy in Lane County. He has worked as a journalist since 2003, most recently at the Oregon Capital Chronicle, where he covered justice, health and human services and documented regional efforts to combat fentanyl addiction. Botkin has worked in statehouses in Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma and, of course, Oregon. When he's not working, you'll find him road tripping across the West, hiking or surfing along the Oregon Coast.