Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel has issued a statement addressing the county’s position on immigration policies, outlining the impact of Oregon’s sanctuary laws and the potential effects of new federal directives. His statement provides insight into the challenges local law enforcement faces as they attempt to balance state and federal regulations.
According to Daniel, Oregon law places significant restrictions on local law enforcement when it comes to immigration enforcement. While officers are permitted to request information from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a criminal investigation, they can only arrest individuals for federal immigration violations if a judge has signed a warrant. Additionally, officers may share publicly available information with ICE or respond to court subpoenas related to immigration cases. Law enforcement officials can also inquire about a person’s country of origin for consular notification purposes, but only if they inform the individual that answering is voluntary and could carry immigration consequences.
However, Oregon’s sanctuary laws also impose strict limitations on how local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities. Police departments cannot use public resources to help ICE detect or apprehend undocumented individuals, nor can they grant ICE agents access to non-public areas of jails or law enforcement facilities. Additionally, officers are prohibited from investigating, questioning, or detaining individuals solely for immigration purposes and may not provide information to ICE unless it is already publicly available or mandated by a court order. The law also prevents the denial of privileges or services based on a person’s suspected immigration status and forbids law enforcement from carrying out civil immigration arrests near courthouses without a judicial warrant. Violating these statutes could lead to civil penalties for law enforcement officials.
While Oregon’s sanctuary policies remain in place, a recent memo from the U.S. Attorney General’s Office suggests that the federal government may take a stronger stance against jurisdictions that do not fully cooperate with ICE. The memo, titled “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives,” was issued on February 5, 2025, and outlines three primary objectives. The first is to end federal funding for state and local governments that obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The second involves reviewing funding agreements with non-governmental organizations that provide support to undocumented immigrants. The third priority is to take legal action against jurisdictions that either facilitate violations of federal immigration laws or interfere with lawful federal immigration operations. These directives suggest that sanctuary jurisdictions such as Oregon could face federal consequences if they continue to limit cooperation with immigration enforcement agencies.
Sheriff Daniel acknowledged the complexities of enforcing immigration laws under these conflicting policies. He noted that the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has not been contacted by ICE in recent years, likely due to Oregon’s restrictions on local cooperation with federal authorities. However, he recognized that this situation could change in light of new federal directives. Daniel stated that while he does not intend to obstruct federal immigration enforcement, he also wants to avoid financial repercussions that could negatively impact the community.
“I will not stand in the way or inhibit federal immigration practices,” Daniel said. “However, I will also attempt to avoid devastating financial impacts on our community.”
Daniel reaffirmed that his primary concern is addressing crime, regardless of a suspect’s immigration status. He expressed concerns that law enforcement officers could find themselves caught between conflicting state and federal mandates, potentially becoming “targets or martyrs” in the ongoing immigration debate. He hopes that federal and state authorities can reach a resolution that allows law enforcement to operate effectively without facing legal or financial risks.
As immigration policies continue to evolve, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office will have to navigate a shifting legal landscape while maintaining public safety. Future changes in state or federal law may further shape how local authorities handle immigration-related issues in the county.
