Quote:U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is stepping up, calling immigration sanctuaries on the carpet, and doing their job.

“We will not be governed by dangerous sanctuary laws and community leaders who out politics over public safety to interfere with our mission to remove dangerous criminal aliens from the community,” ICE said in a statement.

They served five immigration subpoenas Friday on the Hillsboro Police Department, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

ICE says it’s seeking information on people living in the U.S. illegally who were arrested on criminal charges in these jurisdictions.

ICE uses statutorily-authorized administrative subpoenas to obtain information as part of investigations regarding potential removable aliens.

They have not historically needed to use its lawful authority to issue these subpoenas to obtain information from other law enforcement agencies, as most law enforcement agencies throughout the country willingly provide ICE with information regarding aliens arrested for crimes in the interest of public safety.

ICE is using every tool available to obtain information regarding the whereabouts and other relevant information regarding removable aliens (both in the custody of local jails and at large) from jurisdictions that are unable to, or chose to not cooperate with the federal agency.

Quote:ICE pointed out that these immigration subpoenas are necessary due to dangerous sanctuary laws that are forcing Oregon counties, to include local law enforcement agencies in these counties, to refuse ICE’s requests for information and cooperation.

“Politically motivated sanctuary laws tie the hands of local law enforcement agencies who clearly see that working with ICE is crucial to public safety,” said Bryan Wilcox.

He’s the deputy field office director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations-Seattle.

“These irresponsible laws and policies not only unnecessarily pit federal and local law enforcement officers against each other, but provide a refuge for criminal aliens who prey on people in their communities.

The public needs to know that cooperation between all law enforcement agencies make their communities safer by holding criminals accountable and providing justice and closure for their victims.”

Quote:“The Department of Homeland Security issued Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett two immigration enforcement subpoenas to produce records related to two different individuals in current custody of the Washington County Jail.

The subpoenas, at issue, were signed by an authorized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official and were properly served. The subpoenas are specifically authorized by federal law, 8 United States Code section 1225(d) and by the Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 287.4.

This administrative subpoena power has existed as part of the federal law for decades, and has been upheld by the US Supreme Court. See US v. Minker, 76 S Ct 281 (1955).

Oregon law prohibits local police from sharing certain information for purpose of enforcement of federal immigration laws, except as provided by state or federal law (see ORS 180.805). The information sought in these subpoenas relates to information that local police are generally prohibited from sharing under Oregon law and failure to comply with these subpoenas may be punished by an order of contempt by a federal judge.

Sheriff Garrett swore an oath to uphold state and federal law. The information commanded by the subpoenas is required by federal law, and may be provided as specifically allowed by ORS 180.805(1); therefore, the requested information will be shared.”

Quote:Since January, ICE has issued similar immigration subpoenas in California, Colorado, Connecticut and New York.

Oregon’s 1987 sanctuary state law, the country’s first, prevents law enforcement agencies from detaining people who are in the U.S. illegally but have not broken any other law. Authorities in the state won’t hold in custody those who committed crimes and have finished their sentences to be picked up by federal immigration agents, unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.