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Welcome to the Civil Rights Unit (CRU) Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit! 

The CRU Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit is a free, online resource for those seeking to understand Oregon’s sanctuary laws and help ensure that our communities are safe for all. Everyone has the right to live, work, play, and learn safely in Oregon. This toolkit covers the essential information needed to understand, report, and combat violations of Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Laws. 

Our Community Sanctuary Promise Toolkit provides you with information about the following questions:

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Oregon is a Sanctuary State. What exactly does that mean?

Oregon's sanctuary status means that state and local government, including police, cannot help enforce federal immigration laws without an order signed by a judge.

In Oregon, our laws state that everyone can live, work, play, go to school, report a crime to police, go to court, and access government services without fear that a state or local government employee will report you to ICE. If you suspect a violation of these laws, you can report to the Sanctuary Promise Hotline.

However, federal immigration authorities like ICE can and do operate in Oregon. Oregon's sanctuary laws do not stop deportations or federal prosecutions for immigration-related crimes in Oregon.

Protected Areas

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an October 2021 policy memo instructing immigration officers not to take enforcement actions at or near protected areas, with some exceptions. These protected areas are NOT part of Oregon's sanctuary promise laws. The intent behind this federal policy is to allow individuals to access to essential services or engage in essential activities. Protected areas outlined in this memo include:

  • Schools
  • Medical or mental healthcare facilities
  • Places of worship or religious studies
  • Places where children gather
  • Social services establishments
  • Places where disaster or emergency response/relief is provided
  • Places where funerals, graveside ceremonies, rosaries, weddings, or other religious or civil ceremonies or observances occur
  • Places where there are ongoing parades, demonstrations, or rallies

Note that this policy decision can change at any point--based on the presidential administration or otherwise. These protected areas are not protected under the law and are not legally enforceable.  More information is available on U.S. DHS's Protected Areas website».

How do I prepare myself and my family for encounters with ICE or other federal immigration authorities?

Family Preparedness Packets:

More Printable Information:

Videos:

Information about Warrants:

  • Take pictures of any warrants shown/presented to community members.
  • Warrants for immigration arrests that comply with Oregon's sanctuary laws must be:
    • issued by a federal court and
    • signed by a judge
  • Oregon state/local law enforcement may arrest a person if there is a "warrant of arrest issued by a federal magistrate" (ORS 181A.820(5), emphasis added). State/local law enforcement may not act on civil/administrative warrants issued by federal immigration authorities.
  • In addition, ICE and federal immigration authorities may not arrest a person in a courthouse or on their way to/from a court proceeding with a civil warrant; they must have a judicial warrant or judicial order.
  • Here are some examples of warrants:
    • Sample Administrative/Civil Warrant not compliant with Oregon's sanctuary laws. Note it is issued by DHS (not a federal court) and signed by an immigration officer (not a federal judge).
    • Sample Arrest Warrant not compliant with Oregon's sanctuary laws. Although it is issued by a federal court, it is not signed by a judge.
    • Sample Judicial Warrant that is compliant with Oregon's sanctuary laws. It is issued by a federal court and signed by a federal judge.
    • ACLU Video example of warrant in Spanish: ACLU Video »

Is there a place I can call to report ICE or other federal immigration authorities active right now in my community?

Somone I know has been detained. How do I find them?

After an encounter with ICE or other federal immigration authorities, what information should I write down?

  • Gather any and all evidence after an interaction with federal immigration authorities.
  • Write down:
    • the date, time, and exact location where the interaction occurred;
    • what you were doing;
    • the names and contact information of anyone you were with;
    • the names and contact information of any witnesses;
    • all officer names involved, including physical descriptions, and badge numbers;
    • note the vehicles they were driving, including unmarked cars' color/make/model, and patrol numbers if visible;
    • the details of what happened, including start and end times.
  • Ask for business cards of any officers involved.
  • Take and forward pictures or videos of any documents, officers, interactions, and all parties involved to a trusted friend or family member.
  • Have a plan for what to do if a family member is arrested or detained, including who to call.

How can I report a suspected violation of Oregon’s sanctuary laws?

Anyone can report a suspected violation of Oregon’s sanctuary laws. Community members can report to Oregon's Sanctuary Promise Hotline by:

  • calling the Sanctuary Promise Hotline in any language at 1-844-924-STAY (7829). We accept all Relay calls. Live advocates are available 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Leave a voicemail after hours.
  • calling the Sanctuary Promise Hotline in Spanish at 1-844-6-AMPARO (1-844-626-7276). We accept all Relay calls. Live advocates are available 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Leave a voicemail after hours.
  • reporting online any time and in any language at SanctuaryPromise.Oregon.gov » or PromesaSantuario.Oregon.gov » (Spanish language website);
  • chatting/texting with a live advocate in English, Spanish, Arabic, or Tagalog, from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

The Sanctuary Promise Hotline is a confidential place to explore questions and learn about options.

Please click here to learn more about what happens when you make a sanctuary promise report.

Public bodies and law enforcement agencies that have been contacted by a federal immigration agency and needing to make a legally mandated report must report to Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission ». This link is not a reporting link for community members.

What happens when Oregon DOJ opens an inquiry on behalf of the state about a reported sanctuary law violation?

Oregon DOJ can inquire into allegations or reports that an Oregon government agency or law enforcement agency may have violated Oregon’s sanctuary laws, if the targeted individual consents to the inquiry.

Under current Oregon sanctuary laws, Oregon DOJ does not have investigation or enforcement powers. Instead, the vision behind 2021’s HB 3265 », Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act, was for Oregon DOJ to be a resource for potential targeted individuals and their families, and for Oregon DOJ to work with agencies that need to understand the law and/or may have been violating the law. Oregon DOJ can intervene in a non-punitive way with agencies subject to the law to improve compliance with sanctuary laws.

The Oregon DOJ report can be subpoenaed for use if a community member or any person files for injunctive relief or otherwise pursues civil legal action/remedies against a violating agency.  Oregon sanctuary laws state, "Any person may bring a civil action against a law enforcement agency or public body that violates..."

Do Oregon DOJ inquiries result in conclusions or findings?

As the current laws are written, inquiries or investigations will not result in a finding of "violation" or "no violation." Oregon DOJ cannot substantiate or unsubstantiate violations, or designate reports as founded or unfounded.

To see what Oregon DOJ investigations/inquiries can do, see What happens when Oregon DOJ opens an inquiry on behalf of the state about a reported sanctuary law violation? above.

What can Oregon DOJ’s Sanctuary Law Investigator do, and what can't they do?

What does Oregon DOJ’s Sanctuary Law Investigator (SLI) do?

  • Oregon DOJ’s Sanctuary Law Investigator can interview complainants, targeted individuals, their family members, witnesses, whistleblowers, and even violators of Oregon’s sanctuary laws to try to determine what happened.
  • The SLI can contact law enforcement agencies and government bodies to request records, policies, and other evidence regarding reported sanctuary law violations. Under current law, these agencies are not required to respond.
  • The SLI can write reports that summarize the interviews and records obtained.
  • The SLI can be subpoenaed to testify in court regarding their investigation and report. This could be helpful if a person is seeking legal recourse—see What legal recourse do I have if Oregon’s sanctuary laws are violated? below.

Are there things Oregon DOJ’s Sanctuary Law Investigator (SLI) cannot do?

  • The SLI cannot make a finding of sanctuary law "violation" or "no violation."
  • The SLI cannot subpoena records, make public records requests from violating agencies, or otherwise compel/require/force agencies to respond to inquiries.
  • The SLI cannot arrest, prosecute, or sue someone for violating Oregon’s sanctuary laws.
  • The SLI cannot arrest or prosecute a targeted individual, their family member, witness, or whistleblower for any reason.
  • The SLI cannot change a deportation order.
  • The SLI cannot change any other decision/action by the federal courts or federal immigration authority to prosecute or remove a person from the United States.
  • The SLI cannot order a public body or law enforcement agency to fire or reprimand an employee, contractor, or volunteer who has violated Oregon sanctuary law.

Why should someone report a sanctuary law violation?

Ensuring Our Communities Are Safe

A first step toward safe communities depends on identifying violations to make sure that sanctuary laws are upheld. By reporting sanctuary law violations, you contribute to creating a safer environment for all Oregonians. We all have a role to play.

Although we are unable to halt or intervene in federal immigration enforcement as a state-level public agency, we can work towards a strong commitment to sanctuary laws so that all Oregonians have equal access to public services-- like reporting a crime to police, going to court if subpoenaed, accessing public schools, getting check-ups at public health clinics, and more.  Sanctuary laws intend to lift barriers to accessing state and local government agencies, and ensure safe and accessible services from these agencies.

Report and Support

The “Report and Support System” is designed to help Oregon DOJ investigate suspected violations to Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act and provide support where possible.  If you see something, say something.  If you suspect a violation, please report it!  Advocates on the hotline are multilingual and identify as members of the communities we support.  Interpretation services are available in 240+ languages.

We want to:

  • Support those who witnessed, have been targeted in, or impacted by violations to Oregon’s sanctuary laws.
  • Refer witnesses, targeted individuals, and community members to services that can help.
  • Inform the Oregon Department of Justice’s Sanctuary Promise Investigator to determine if ODOJ can open an investigation on behalf of the state.
  • Track violations and inform the public about who is violating and if there are trends.

Data and Confidentiality

Part of the Sanctuary Promise Act is about data transparency--knowing what's happening around our state. When a person reports to the Sanctuary Promise Hotline, after any investigation is complete, the de-identified data will be published in the Criminal Justice Commission's annual report. This means that your name and contact information will not be shared (without a subpoena; for more information, see How data is stored and protected,) but the agency reported to have violated these laws will be listed. Community members can be informed about their local public agencies, and plan and act accordingly.

Recourse

See the Question What legal recourse do I have if Oregon’s sanctuary laws are violated? below about legal recourse that may be available after a violation of Oregon's sanctuary law(s).

What legal recourse do I have if Oregon’s sanctuary laws are violated?

Oregon law allows any person to file a civil suit/bring a civil action against an agency that violates these laws. The law allows a person to sue the violating agency, asking a judge to order them to stop violating sanctuary law. A person may be able to sue the violating agency for financial harm caused by the violation. Oregon Sanctuary Promise Hotline advocates can help connect you to resources and legal agencies to understand what your civil legal options may be.

The outcome of a state investigation or a private civil suit does not change a deportation order, or any other decision/action by the federal courts or federal immigration authority to prosecute or remove a person from the United States.

What attorney resources can you share with me?

Oregon DOJ is not allowed to refer you to or recommend a specific attorney. This list does not suggest the attorney has been vetted or endorsed by Oregon DOJ.

Oregon sanctuary laws are directed at "public bodies" and "law enforcement agencies." How are those terms defined?

  • “Public body” is defined in ORS 174.109» as state, local and special government bodies. This means Oregon state, county, city, and special government agencies are all public bodies, and their employees, contractors, and even volunteers must abide by these laws. There are many state and local government agencies in Oregon.
  • “Law enforcement agency” is defined in ORS 181A.822(4)» as:
    • city and university police departments
    • Oregon State Police
    • State and local police and sheriffs and their deputies
    • Corrections officers
    • The laws specify that officers/deputies/agents/troopers/etc., both employed or contracted, whether they’re on or off duty, must follow these laws.

There’s a lot of technical language in immigration law and sanctuary law. What do all those terms mean?

The ODOJ Civil Rights Unit has created a glossary of terms» that you can reference.

As a community organization, what can I do to support immigrant community members?

  • Create a communication chain (using WhatsApp or phone lines)
  • Gather a local response network of attorneys, legal services, counseling options, and advocates
  • Create a team who safely can dispatch and verify if there's local ICE activity
  • Provide/host Know Your Rights workshops
  • Share Know Your Rights cards
  • Share Family Preparedness plans, which should include:
    • power of attorney documents
    • guardianship papers
    • important documents organized and accessible
  • Encourage families to gather important documents and information:
    • Important names and phone numbers (family & consulate & attorneys)
    • Copies of IDs and passports (especially child's passport; including work permits)
    • Copies of all immigration papers (including receipt notices for any pending and approval cases)
    • Birth certificates (with English translations) (good idea to obtain an original birth certificate for your child)
    • Marriage certificates (with English translations)
    • Social Security cards
    • Other important information such as a list of medications family members take
    • Update children's school emergency contact information
    • Child's immunization records
  • Establish safe spaces: identify community centers, churches, and other locations where families can temporarily seek shelter or support during ICE activity
  • Establish contact with media/newspapers
  • Train trusted community members to be spokespeople to share urgent information with media
  • Beware of overstepping and good intentions
    • Only attorneys should give legal advice
    • Know Your Rights trainings should be vetted and established

This toolkit is designed to empower you with the knowledge and resources about Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Laws. 

You can always contact Oregon’s statewide Sanctuary Promise Hotline to talk about your options. We welcome your call or online report. 

Disclaimer: The links and information provided in this toolkit are for information only, are not exhaustive, and do not constitute legal advice. For information about your rights and legal options, consult an attorney».  Not all content reflects the views of the Oregon Department of Justice.  Resources and trainings are not vetted or otherwise endorsed by ODOJ. 

Request Sanctuary Promise Training for your Community

The Oregon DOJ Civil Rights Unit provides training for community groups on Oregon’s sanctuary laws and Sanctuary Promise Hotline. Please sign up below if you are interested.







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