PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Department of Justice has clarified its position following a state report revealing a significant increase in communication between Oregon public agencies and federal immigration authorities.
The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission’s 2026 Sanctuary Promise Act Annual Report indicates a staggering 246% rise in contacts and requests from federal immigration officials compared to the prior reporting period.
This report assesses the responses of public agencies to federal immigration inquiries, in line with Oregon’s sanctuary law, which generally restricts state and local agencies from assisting in federal immigration enforcement unless specific exceptions apply.
Federal Enforcement Activity on the Rise
The Oregon Department of Justice has observed that this increase in communications coincides with intensified federal immigration enforcement since the inception of the current presidential administration.
A spokesperson for the Department highlighted a marked surge in reports submitted to the Sanctuary Promise hotline correlating with spikes in federal law enforcement activity in Oregon.
However, the Department underlined that the numbers are derived from reports submitted by public agencies. For detailed insights into the 246% increase, the Criminal Justice Commission, which compiles this annual report, is better positioned to provide specific information.
Agencies Responding to Federal Requests
The report reveals that four public agencies directly responded to requests from federal immigration authorities. Additionally, four other agencies offered information or assistance voluntarily, without a formal request.
Due to data privacy protocols, the Department of Justice cannot disclose the identities of these agencies, as the information collection is solely handled by the Criminal Justice Commission. Therefore, inquiries about the involved public agencies should be directed to the CJC.
Tracking Sanctuary Inquiries
When asked whether the Department of Justice had initiated an investigation into reports of cooperation with federal authorities, the agency clarified that such cases are sent directly to the Criminal Justice Committee and are not accessible to the Department of Justice.
According to the Department’s policy, public entities are generally obligated to deny immigration-related requests, document internal communications, and submit any pertinent information to the CJC. The clarity in the report regarding the presence of judicial warrants that could influence compliance with state law remains uncertain.
Revisions to Hotline Data in Upcoming Reports
The annual report acknowledges that data from the Sanctuary Promise Hotline is currently excluded due to staffing changes and challenges in data management.
The Department of Justice has indicated that approximately 340 hotline reports from June 2025 to May 2026 will be incorporated into the Criminal Justice Commission’s revised report. These reports, already available through the Department’s public hotline data website, may not all relate to suspected violations of sanctuary laws, as they also encompass inquiries regarding “know your rights” and other immigration-related concerns.
The forthcoming report aims to deliver a breakdown comparable to previous years, enhancing it with additional hotline data and complaint information.
Public Access to Repeated Complaints
In response to questions about whether public agencies and law enforcement have been recurrently subject to sanctuary law complaints, the Justice Department stated that those records are available through a public hotline database, though specific agencies were not identified in their communication with KATU.
Evaluating Potential Violations of Sanctuary Laws
The Department of Justice is currently reviewing the report to establish whether sufficient information is present to ascertain the details of the public entity implicated, the involvement of federal immigration authorities, potential violations of sanctuary laws, and whether consent was obtained in instances of detention.
Upon completing its review, the Justice Department will redact personal information as necessary and publish an informed response. Notably, the agency will not officially determine a violation of the Sanctuary Act unless backed by adequate evidence.
Anticipated Next Steps
The Criminal Justice Commission is preparing to release a revised report that will incorporate the previously missing hotline data. Meanwhile, state officials are emphasizing that the current report highlights an upward trend in interactions between federal immigration authorities and Oregon public agencies, with additional insights expected as more complaint data comes to light.
