Douglas County Declares Opposition to Sanctuary Designation
In a recent decision, Douglas County commissioners issued a resolution reaffirming that they do not identify as a sanctuary county, while voicing support for the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This resolution received backing from Sheriff John Hanlin, yet drew criticism from various community members present at the meeting.
Community resident Melissa Sherwood expressed her concerns, stating, “I’m not scared for myself. I’m scared for brown people. I’m scared for immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, because I think the sheriff is very eager to work with ICE.” Sherwood shared her thoughts with KLCC following the meeting.
The Sanctuary Promise Act mandates that Oregon governments—regardless of their status as sanctuary cities or counties—are prohibited from aiding federal agents in immigration enforcement unless they possess a judicial warrant. Several communities have recently begun amending their regulations to align with Oregon’s sanctuary law, including Roseburg, which made changes last month.
The Oregon state government has an obligation to report its interactions with federal officials concerning immigration to the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. Notably, Douglas County is among the 21 counties that have failed to submit any reports since the 2022 law took effect. In contrast, neighboring counties such as Lane, Jackson, and Josephine have complied with reporting requirements.
The resolution, which passed unanimously among three commissioners, commended the Trump administration and stipulated that no county resources would be allocated to impede immigration enforcement. The document clearly states, “Douglas County, Oregon, hereby declares the intent that it is not a ‘sanctuary county’ and opposes any state law, policy, ordinance, or resolution that would designate or operate the county as a ‘sanctuary county.’” It emphasizes the county’s commitment to collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing applicable laws within the bounds of the United States and Oregon constitutions.
During the meeting, Sheriff Hanlin remarked on the perceived risks some state laws pose to community safety, acknowledging the necessity of their enforcement. However, KLCC was informed that Hanlin was not available for a follow-up interview regarding the county’s policies.
Commissioner Chris Boyce clarified that the resolution was not intended to direct the sheriff’s office but rather to express support for law enforcement initiatives aimed at addressing drug trafficking. He emphasized, “What we’re looking for is an opportunity to voice our opinion that if we have a tortfeasor in our community that’s doing something illegal, we’re going to continue to comply with state and federal law to the best of our ability.”
The resolution’s introduction was unexpected, following a presentation by a group known as Citizens United of Douglas County, who had called for a resolution to support law enforcement. Instead, the commissioners opted to approve an anti-sanctuary resolution incorporating language that supports law enforcement efforts.
Oregon law permits individuals to initiate lawsuits against governments they believe are violating the Sanctuary Promise Act, providing a private right of action. Multnomah County currently faces a legal challenge due to allegations it has held immigrants beyond their release dates at the behest of federal agents. Similarly, Cottage Grove and St. Helens have encountered lawsuits from the Rural Organizing Project for similar reasons. In response, Sherwood and other advocates have reached out to the Rural Organizing Project and other organizations focusing on sanctuary issues for guidance on potential legal actions against Douglas County.
