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SALEM, ORE.
Oregon’s “sanctuary state” status and soft-on-crime policies make it one of the most friendly states to human trafficking and drug trafficking, encouraging even more illegal crossings at our southern border.
Sanctuary state
Oregon became a “sanctuary state” in 1987, with the passage of House Bill 2314. The law prohibits state resources from being used to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In 2018, Oregon voters rejected a ballot measure opportunity to reverse Oregon’s sanctuary state law. Powerful far-left groups with millions of dollars of out-of-state money mobilized, and the measure was defeated.
In 2021, the Oregon Democrats passed House Bill 3265, giving illegal aliens full benefits in Oregon. Recently, Oregon spent $29 million for a “welcome hotel” and authorized another $2 million in “newcomer” services during the 2024 legislative session.
Soft on crime
2021 was also the year Oregonians passed Measure 110 legalizing hard drugs such as Fentanyl, throwing gasoline on the fire at the U.S. southern border. Cities on the Interstate 5 corridor such as Grants Pass have been particularly hard hit.
The partial reversal of Measure 110 passed during the 2024 legislative session provides little relief. An amendment to the bill, which would have allowed ICE to be notified when drug dealers are arrested, was blocked by Democrats in the legislature.
Where things stand
Oregon’s drug, crime, and housing crises all stem in part from our wide-open southern border. This can only end when we get rid of our failed liberal leadership and elect principled Republicans.
Although Oregon is not a border state, Oregon state lawmakers must respond to the crisis at the U.S. southern border with legislation to ensure we are not encouraging illegal immigration and thus complicit in crimes such as human trafficking and drug trafficking.
Next steps
I will be introducing legislation in the next session to protect Oregonians. Measure 110 must be fully reversed. Legislation such as House Bills 2314 and 3265 which encourage illegal immigration and human suffering, must be fully reversed.
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