Allegations of Data Sharing Violate Oregon’s Sanctuary Law
OREGON, USA — A nonprofit organization, the Rural Organizing Project (ROP), has accused the Oregon State Police (OSP) of improperly sharing residents’ personal data with federal immigration enforcement agencies. The complaint asserts that such actions violate the state’s sanctuary law, raising significant legal and ethical concerns.
Legal Action Filed to Protect Personal Data
The lawsuit, initiated in Multnomah County Circuit Court, aims to prevent the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security from accessing personal information stored in state databases. This challenging move underscores an ongoing conflict regarding data privacy and immigration enforcement in Oregon.
Types of Data Disputed in the Complaint
According to ROP, the data shared includes sensitive information such as driver’s licenses, driving histories, driver photos, vehicle registration records, Social Security numbers, and law enforcement documentation. These revelations have raised alarms about potential misuse of sensitive data by federal entities.
ROP’s Demands for Immediate Action
Represented by the Oregon Law Center, ROP argues that OSP possesses the technical capability to restrict immigration enforcement agencies from accessing these databases. Nevertheless, OSP has reportedly failed to take action despite being made aware of the nonprofit’s legal challenge through a notice of tort claim issued on January 30.
Concerns Over Information Sharing through National Databases
Oregon is currently linked to the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), facilitating data sharing among local, state, federal, and international law enforcement officials, including ICE and other federal agencies. The OSP has user agreements with NLETS, as well as agreements that grant federal agencies access to the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS), which contains critical investigative information.
Recent Agreements Raise Legal Questions
The lawsuit highlights that OSP reaffirmed its commitment to provide data to ICE via a user agreement signed in December 2025. Furthermore, in February, the agency reportedly consented to share information with Homeland Security Investigations, thereby indicating a lack of intent to restrict access for federal immigration authorities through NLETS.
Government Officials Call for Data Protection
In November, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas, urged states to prohibit the sharing of driver data with federal immigration authorities. They cite that states like New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Minnesota have successfully blocked such access, mitigating risks to residents’ privacy.
OSP’s Response Amidst Growing Scrutiny
In the wake of the lawsuit, OSP released a statement indicating that it had learned about the legal action through media sources. The agency maintains that it is committed to adhering to Oregon’s sanctuary laws and asserts that it has not engaged in any actions that would contravene these regulations. OSP has chosen not to comment further due to the ongoing litigation.
Oregon’s Sanctuary Law and Community Impact
Oregon boasts the nation’s oldest sanctuary law, first enacted in 1987 and reaffirmed by voters in 2018. This law was strengthened by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to enhance protections for residents against federal immigration enforcement. ROP urges individuals who suspect violations of this law to report them to the Oregon Department of Justice Sanctuary Promise Law Hotline or file complaints online, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding community trust and privacy.
