Anti-sanctuary state initiative qualifies for November ballot

Connor Radnovich | Statesman Journal

Voters will decide the future of Oregon's long-standing sanctuary state status in November after an initiative challenging the law qualified for the ballot Tuesday, according to the Secretary of State's office.

The Secretary of State certified that Initiative Petition 22 had 97,762 valid signatures — 86 percent of the signatures submitted and more than the 88,184 required to qualify for the general election.

The initiative aims to remove a 31-year-old statute prohibiting Oregon law enforcement agencies from arresting individuals whose only crime is violating federal immigration law.

"Across the state, hundreds of grassroots Oregonians worked to gather the signatures of tens of thousands of voters," said Cynthia Kendoll, president of Oregonians for Immigration Reform. "All are eager to end Oregon's sanctuary policy and see their state do its part to combat, not promote, illegal immigration."

The chief petitioners for the proposal are three Republican state representatives — Mike Nearman of Independence, Sal Esquivel of Medford and Greg Barreto of Cove.

Oregonians for Immigration Reform managed the signature gathering.

July 9: Dozens rally to oppose petition that would repeal Oregon's immigration sanctuary status

July 5: Signatures submitted for petition to repeal Oregon's immigration sanctuary status

OFIR was previously successful in helping orchestrate the defeat of Measure 88, a referendum that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to secure driver's cards. The state Legislature had passed the law, but Oregon voters rejected it by a margin of 2 to 1.

The Southern Poverty Law Center designates Oregonians for Immigration Reform as an anti-immigrant hate group with ties to white supremacists.

Immigration advocates have expressed concerns that the removal of sanctuary state status could turn local law enforcement into a "deportation force." It could also make undocumented immigrants more hesitant to call the police, making communities less safe, they said.

In response to IP 22, new political action committee Oregonians United Against Profiling has sprung forth to defend the law, with supporters including: Nike, Oregon Center for Public Policy, Causa Oregon, Columbia Sportswear and various law enforcement officials.

According to the Secretary of State's office, numerous complaints alleging signature fraud against the petitioners of IP 22 have been sent to the Attorney General's office.

Response to the qualification came swiftly on social media from some state officials.

"Wow! Oregonians will get to speak on this all important issue. Great job to the tens of thousands who signed the petition," wrote Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer.

"Here we go. Let’s stand with our immigrant neighbors this fall and defeat this ballot measure," wrote Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read.

Wow! Oregonians will get to speak on this all important issue. Great job to the tens of thousands who signed the petition, you're voice was heard and the hard work of Cynthia to make sure those sigs were valid, 95.3% is huge! #orpol — Bill Post (@BillPostOregon) July 17, 2018

Here we go. Let’s stand with our immigrant neighbors this fall and defeat this ballot measure. #orpol https://t.co/9KWLdPnHBY — Tobias Read (@TobiasRead) July 17, 2018

Contact the reporter at cradnovich@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6864, or follow him on Twitter at @CDRadnovich