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GOP lawmakers target Oregon sanctuary laws, hoping to capitalize on immigration concerns

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GOP lawmakers target Oregon sanctuary laws, hoping to capitalize on immigration concerns


State Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, right, is one of two lawmakers who will attempt to roll back Oregon’s sanctuary laws next year.

Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB

A pair of Republican lawmakers say they’ll attempt to roll back some of Oregon’s sanctuary protections next year, as the party signals it will highlight border security in this year’s election.

In a memo circulated earlier this week, state Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, wrote to Republican colleagues that Oregon has been “significantly impacted” by a surge of illegal entries at the nation’s southern border, “particularly through the influx of fentanyl and other illicit drugs…”

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The solution, Knopp and Breese-Iverson say, is to make it easier for local law enforcement agencies and other Oregon public officials to collaborate with federal authorities to enforce immigration law.

The pair plans to introduce a longshot bill during next year’s session rolling back the so-called Sanctuary Promise Act. Passed in 2021 by Democrats who still hold majorities in both chambers, the law strengthened Oregon’s decades-old sanctuary protections, creating explicit prohibitions on local officials aiding federal immigration authorities.

“We are committed to bringing a repeal of the Sanctuary Promise Act in the 2025 legislative session,” the memo says. “Additionally, we believe it is essential to continue discussing and developing solutions that may go further to fully address this border crisis effectively.”

Oregon’s sanctuary law will be stronger than ever under newly passed bill

The memo is the latest sign that GOP lawmakers see the problems brought by an onrush of migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as a winning political issue this fall. It comes as President Joe Biden this week took executive action to blunt criticisms his administration has been too soft on the issue.

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Earlier this spring, a group of 16 Republicans — both sitting lawmakers and legislative candidates hoping to become lawmakers — traveled to Arizona in order to get a first-hand look at the state’s struggles with immigration. Such border pilgrimages have become common among Republicans around the country looking to knock Democrats’ stance on an issue that has risen to the top of voter concerns.

The strategy is not unique to one party. Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley traveled to the border in 2018 to highlight a policy by then-President Donald Trump that was separating migrant families.

Knopp and Breese-Iverson spearheaded the Arizona trip, and addressed their memo to those who attended. It included a rundown of other laws that Oregon lawmakers have passed in recent years, including millions set aside for grants to refugee resettlement agencies, and a bill that created a new state office to support immigrants and refugees.

“During our Arizona trip earlier this year, we repeatedly heard that ‘every state is a border state,’” the lawmakers wrote. “This has become increasingly relevant as the Biden administration appears to be taking executive action on the border this week. It is clear we must address the ongoing border crisis.”

Oregon Republicans to visit Arizona-Mexico border to learn about security issues

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National polling suggests that immigration is a major concern for Americans — especially Republicans and nonaffiliated voters, who are key for GOP hopes to winning more power in the Beaver State.

Worries over how voter unease on the issue would play at the ballot box this year helped prompt Biden to issue an executive order earlier this week, making it more difficult for migrants to seek asylum in the U.S. at a time law enforcement officers are encountering thousands of migrants at the border every day.

While Republicans are not expected to retake either chamber of the Legislature in this year’s elections, the party is hopeful it can win back ground — particularly in the House, where Democrats hold a 35-25 majority. Republicans are also hoping to win at least one of three statewide offices that are up for grabs. Three of the state’s six congressional races — two with Democratic incumbents — are potentially competitive this year, as well.

But whether immigration is at the forefront of Oregonians’ minds right now is unclear.

Polling by Portland firm DHM research in April 2023 suggested that roughly half of Oregon voters think illegal immigration is a serious problem. But a majority of voters said at the time they supported Oregon keeping its status as a sanctuary state, and nearly 60% said immigration was a positive thing for the country.

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As of last August, the issue hadn’t surfaced as a major concern for many Oregonians, said John Horvick, DHM’s senior vice president. Just 1% said in a survey that immigration is the most important problem facing the state.

“That doesn’t mean that Oregonians don’t care, but it’s not nearly as top of mind as a state issue compared to things like homelessness, drugs, and crime,” Horvick said.

Oregon voters trounced a 2018 ballot measure that would have rolled back the state’s sanctuary protections as they existed at that time, prior to the legislature beefing up the law in 2021.

Oregonians Vote To Keep State’s Sanctuary Law, Reject Measure 105

Any attempt to rollback sanctuary protections appears likely to meet a similar fate in the Legislature. The law Republicans hope to target had near-unanimous support from majority Democrats. Its sponsors included now-House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene.

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Fahey did not respond to a request for comment about the GOP memo, and a number of other sponsors of the 2021 bill couldn’t be reached. Latino Network, a nonprofit that was a key backer of HB 3265, said it didn’t have immediate comment.

Knopp will no longer be a member of the Senate next year. He is barred from running for reelection after participating in a six-week walkout during the 2023 session. Knopp’s office said the lawmaker could still file a bill for next year prior to leaving office in January.



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Oregon

Visit Delicious Oregon

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Visit Delicious Oregon


Editor’s note: In 2016, WW expanded its Cheap Eats guide to include a road trip. We identified nine diners, food trucks and one boat worth a pit stop when journeying through Oregon. Since then, a few things have changed: Two of our picks have closed, as noted below, and you don’t need to travel to Medford to find an In-N-Out Burger. But maybe you should!

This list first appeared in the March 23, 1016, edition of WW.

TAQUERIA GUERRERO

508 E 1ST ST., NEWBERG.

Half tienda, half taco spot, Guerrero serves its street tacos and huge mojado burrito ($8.95) with handmade tortillas that shame almost anything in Portland.

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JOE’S DONUT SHOP

39230 PIONEER BLVD., SANDY.

This 40-year-old candy-striped dough den offers a ridiculously rich cronut—that’s a fried croissant—fast service, and always-fresh doughnuts. It’s arguably the best doughnut shop in the state.

THE DINER

2580 SE STRATUS AVE., MCMINNVILLE.

The Diner makes one of the state’s greatest sandwiches—a fried-chicken club in which each layer is seasoned and housemade, and the middle slice of bread is replaced by the satisfying crunch of fried chicken.

EASTWIND DRIVE IN

395 WANAPA ST., CASCADE LOCKS.

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The Eastwind is where Cheryl Strayed first tasted civilization after ending her long, long walk. The soft-serve ice cream is good enough for you, too, motherfucker.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips Oregon Winter 2025: Denizens of Darkness (Thomas Patterson/Thomas Patterson)

BOWPICKER FISH & CHIPS

1634 DUANE ST., ASTORIA.

At this 28-foot converted gillnet boat, there are always 12 old men waiting in line for beautifully fresh-caught, hand-battered albacore tuna served with a raft of fries. Join them.

LOCAL BOYZ HAWAIIAN CAFE

1425 NW MONROE AVE., CORVALLIS.

A sweet shoyu chicken plate lunch will fill you up until dinner tomorrow. But broke high-school kids will buy rice for $1.50 just so they can douse it in the magical ginger-garlic-shoyu sauce.

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IN-N-OUT

1970 CRATER LAKE HIGHWAY, MEDFORD.

With an address that already sounds like a road trip, the magnificent double-double has punctured the state line. Even from as far away as Portland, it beckons.

NOW CLOSED:

FAT FREDDY’S

6320 PACIFIC AVE., PACIFIC CITY.

After a brief hiatus best forgotten, Pacific City’s beachfront home of towering burgers and equally towering Tillamook ice-cream milkshakes returned two years ago to the sound of hardening arteries.

CORNBREAD CAFE

1290 W 7TH AVE., EUGENE.

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It’s arguably Eugene’s best restaurant, and it’s also a perfect fit for the town—a vegan version of an old-school diner, complete with barbecued seitan and outrageously good greens.

Willamette Week’s reporting has real-life impact that changes laws, forces action by civic leaders, and drives compromised politicians from public office.

Support WW.





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OPB’s First Look: Town hall follows power outages

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OPB’s First Look: Town hall follows power outages


OPB’s First Look: Town hall follows power outages – OPB

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Public asked to help find missing 2-year-old Armani Andrews in Portland

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Public asked to help find missing 2-year-old Armani Andrews in Portland


Oregon officials asked the public to help find a two-year-old boy who went missing from Portland last Wednesday, June 17.

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division, is asking the public to help find Armani Andrews and call 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they saw him.

Armani is believed to be in danger and is suspected to be in Portland, around any of the following areas: Rose Haven, Multnomah County Central Library, or Southeast Portland around 82nd-103rd.

Armani is a two-year-old Black/mixed race baby. He is about 24 inches tall, he has brown hair, brown eyes, and his weight is unknown.

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If contacting Portland Police Bureau about Armani, reference the case number: #PP185430

The report number for Armani with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Report is: 2093182

ODHS said in a statement when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and the department “may need to locate them to assess and support their safety.”

KATU News reached out to ODHS to clarify whether there is a custody aspect to the missing child’s case. The department said they are unable to provide that information.

Armani Andrews with Mother Rashonda Andrews/ODHS photos

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You can report suspected child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). The toll-free number allows anyone to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and every day of the year.

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KATU News included photographs of Armani to help the public identify and find him.



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