Oregon has passed new legislationaround immigration, have been subject to increasedenforcement and received federal subpoenas in recent months.
The Oregonian interviewedMarion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, state Representative Ed Diehl, R-Scio, Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, and business executive and former Portland Trail Blazers player Chris Dudley, four of the top Republican candidates for governor, before theMay 19 primary.
Here's what they shared regarding immigration and Oregon's sanctuary policies.
Danielle Bethell aims to eliminate Oregon's sanctuary law if she becomes governor.
BethellShe stated she would attempt to overturn Oregon's 2021 sanctuary promise law by submitting it to voters for approval. This legislation enhanced Oregon's current sanctuary laws. It inflicts additional damage on victims by returning criminals to the community rather than enabling state and federal authorities to collaborate on their deportation, Bethell said.
If that law existed and I were the governor right now," Bethell stated, "I would have found a way to handle it in collaboration with the attorney general to hand those individuals over, and I would be working to eliminate that law at the same time.
As a commissioner, Bethell has been involved in a legal dispute regarding limitations on local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. Marion Countyfiled a lawsuitIn August 2025, asking how to comply with what it described as conflicting laws in response to a records request. The county was ordered torelease the records and later received more subpoenasfrom U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
It's extremely annoying," Bethell remarked. "It's as if we're caught between a rock and a hard place. Public safety doesn't really fit into one political perspective; individuals desire a sense of security within their neighborhood.
What Rep. Ed Diehl would do regarding immigration if he were governor of Oregon
Diehlalso mentioned that he intended to work on eliminating the 2021 sanctuary law through a voter repeal and an executive order that would mandate collaboration between local police and federal immigration authorities.
"The overall intensity of this matter would decrease," Diehl stated, if local officials could request immigration enforcement to apprehend an individual, instead of ICE agents operating within the community.
Governor Tina Kotek's immigration policies have created anxiety, he stated, which would not be present if he were in control.
"Let's remove the bad guys from here and leave everyone else undisturbed," Diehl stated.
What does Sen. Christine Drazan believe regarding Oregon's immigration regulations?
Drazansaid as governor that she would ensure local law enforcement worked with federal immigration authorities.
Oregon's sanctuary state status is completely out of control," Drazan stated. "It is not a reasonable approach to public safety in our state.
Drazan and Diehl both provided sponsorship fora 2025 billThis would have necessitated local collaboration with immigration authorities for individuals convicted of certain felonies and offenses. It did not move forward.
"I think Oregonians want to see individuals who have committed offenses while outside the country legally, and that they should not be permitted to stay," she stated.
Where is Chris Dudley positioned regarding Oregon's sanctuary laws?
Dudleyhe stated that he believes "it is logical" for local police departments to work with federal immigration authorities.
He holds the view, as he states other Oregonians share, that individuals without legal status who have committed significant offenses should be removed from the country.
"Conversely, we must approach this in a manner where, regardless of whether it's false information or not, children should not feel afraid to attend school," Dudley stated.
A strong leader, he stated, must reduce tension. Dudley mentioned that it seems as though Oregon's present leaders are "bumping each other to get to the podium."
Anastasia Mason reports on state government for the Statesman Journal. Contact her atacmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.
This piece first was published on Salem Statesman Journal:What are the leading Republican candidates for Oregon's governorship saying about immigration?
No comments:
Post a Comment