February 2, 2017 — The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon fully supports the executive order issued by Governor Kate Brown today and applauds the governor for safeguarding Oregon values.
David Rogers, ACLU of Oregon’s executive director, said:
“Governor Brown’s executive order is a meaningful action that reaffirms our state agencies and employees will uphold Oregon’s values of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness. These shared values are an integral part of making Oregon a vibrant and flourishing state that strives to treat all people with respect and dignity.
It is within the governor’s authority to direct state agencies under Oregon law. It is not within the federal government’s authority to require that states enforce federal immigration law.
"The ACLU of Oregon will stand with the governor if this order is challenged."
In 1987, the Oregon legislature determined it was in Oregon’s best interest to prohibit the use of state law enforcement resources in federal immigration enforcement. The reasons cited at that time are still valid today. We want our police to serve all members of the communities and that cannot happen if police are making guesses about whether a person is an undocumented immigrant or not. People will not report crimes or be witnesses if they fear for their safety. This law has worked well in Oregon for 30 years.
The ACLU of Oregon will stand with the governor if this order is challenged.”
Kimberly McCullough, ACLU of Oregon’s legislative director, said:
“Oregon’s unique law has succeeded in keeping the deportation of immigrants by the federal government separate and distinct from the enforcement of our state criminal laws by our local police. We are pleased the governor has extended this important state disentanglement to all state agencies and employees.
We also firmly believe that any attempt by the federal government to create a religious registry should be met with full, swift resistance. In addition to directly violating Oregon law, a government registry of this type is a danger to our open society.”