MARION COUNTY, Ore. (KATU) — Marion county is asking the federal court who it should listen to when it comes to immigration enforcement; does the county follow federal law and cooperate with immigration enforcement officials, or does it follow state law and refuse to do so?
That’s the question asked in a new complaint, which seeks declaratory relief.
This comes after the United States Department of Homeland Security subpoenaed the Marion county sheriff’s office for records relating to five people.
According to the complaint, the county says it can be sued for violating state law and that it can also be sued for violating federal law.
The county argues that elected officials in the county can be held criminally liable for violating federal law as well.
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The defendants in the complaint are Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Director of United States Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons.
Their legal counsel will have a chance to weigh into the matter as well.
Today the governor said in a response letter to the United States Attorney General that Oregon does not engage in conduct that thwarts federal immigration enforcement, and that the state does not take on the expense or burden of enforcing immigration laws as that is the job of the federal government.