US Sues Four Oregon Counties, Alleging Non-Compliance With Federal Immigration Enforcement

US Sues Four Oregon Counties, Alleging Non-Compliance With Federal Immigration Enforcement

Washington, D.C. October 3, 2025 The Biden administration’s Justice Department filed lawsuits Thursday against four counties in Oregon, alleging they violated federal law by refusing to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining and transferring individuals wanted for deportation.

The move reignites the longstanding debate between federal immigration authorities and so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions,” where local governments limit cooperation with ICE out of concerns about community trust, civil rights, and legal liability.

The Lawsuits

The lawsuits target Multnomah, Washington, Lane, and Marion counties, arguing that their policies have obstructed ICE’s ability to detain undocumented immigrants facing deportation orders or criminal charges.

Federal officials say the counties ignored more than 200 detainer requests over the past year, including cases involving individuals accused of violent crimes.

“No county or city can override federal law,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “When local governments actively prevent federal officers from carrying out their duties, it puts communities at risk.”

The Justice Department is seeking court orders to compel compliance with ICE detainers and to overturn local ordinances that restrict cooperation.

The Counties’ Response

Oregon counties pushed back, defending their policies as lawful and necessary. Local leaders say detainer requests are civil, not criminal warrants, and that honoring them without judicial approval could expose counties to lawsuits over unlawful detention.

“We are committed to public safety and the Constitution,” said Jessica Vega Pederson, chair of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. “Our policies are about ensuring due process and protecting community trust, not shielding dangerous individuals.”

Officials also noted that Oregon state law already prohibits the use of local resources to enforce federal immigration laws unless required by court order.

The Broader Debate

The lawsuits highlight the tension between federal authority and local autonomy on immigration enforcement, an issue that has divided the country for years.

• Supporters of the lawsuits argue that refusing to honor detainer requests allows potentially dangerous individuals to remain in the community.

• Critics of federal action say forcing local jails to comply amounts to commandeering state resources for a federal agenda and risks eroding trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

Legal experts say the cases could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which has previously affirmed that the federal government cannot compel state officials to enforce federal law, though it has left gray areas around immigration enforcement.

Centrist Perspective

From a centrist standpoint, the lawsuits underscore two competing imperatives: the federal government’s responsibility to enforce immigration law uniformly and local governments’ right to set policies that uphold constitutional protections and reflect community values.

While there is a legitimate federal interest in ensuring that individuals with violent criminal records do not slip through the cracks, there are also reasonable concerns about due process, civil liberties, and the financial burden on local jails.

The challenge ahead will be finding a balance, one that ensures public safety and respects the rule of law while not undermining local governance or immigrant community trust.