ICE Beat is a Law Now
Governor Tina Kotek signed nine bills into law this past week related to immigration passed by the Oregon Legislature during the 2026 legislative short session.
One such law, signed on March 31, directs schools and "institutions of higher education” to design and adopt policies addressing how the institution would respond should federal immigration enforcement enter their property. This law does not apply to Reed or other private colleges, as the institutions of higher education defined by the new law refer only to public colleges and universities. The Health Care Without Fear Act requires hospitals to adopt similar policies, and designate areas of the hospital that are not open to the public. The act also protects healthcare employees who share “Know Your Rights” literature against retaliation. The Office of Immigration and Refugee Advancement is required to create statewide policies in response to federal immigration enforcement, thanks to the newly signed Senate Bill 1594.
A separate law focusing on education requires school districts to admit all eligible students regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
Oregon residents are now able to sue federal law enforcement agents for entering their property without a warrant and violating their rights under the Oregon Constitution. Another new law prohibits the use of immigration status as evidence in civil court proceedings.
Other laws signed by Kotek prohibit the selling of personal information from public bodies to data brokers who do not first guarantee that the data will not be used in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Landlords are also not allowed to share sensitive information about tenants including immigration status without a court order or written consent.
Oregon also has a new law on the books enacting stricter identification requirements and prohibiting the use of masks for law enforcement agents. The new law comes as the national Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains unfunded as congressional Democrats demand reforms including limiting federal immigration agents' use of masks and requiring stricter identification.
According to Governor Kotek, the bundle of new laws are meant to address to the Trump Administration's immigration policies as “federal administration continues escalated deportation enforcement, disregard for the rule of law, and other federal overreach”
On Wednesday, a letter from acting head of ICE Todd Lyons to Senator Ron Wyden provided new details of the Administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Oregon during the fall and winter. “Operation Black Rose” brought in more than 100 federal officers and resulted in more 1,100 arrests in the state. The Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also assisted in the operation.
The letter from Lyons was a response to Oregon officials' concerns expressed to former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in October. The October letter specifically discussed DHS agents' use of tear gas and other crowd control munitions on protestors in Portland. According to Lyons, “such large-scale operations would be less necessary if sanctuary jurisdictions, like Portland, Oregon, cooperated with ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies in the execution of their statutory responsibilities.” In 1987, Oregon passed a law that prohibits local law enforcement from assisting with federal immigration law enforcement.
Statement from the author: Any criticisms or concerns surrounding the April Fools ICE Beat should be directed to me, the author. Other Queditors are not responsible for writing the article. I would love to discuss the issue with anyone who has thoughts or feelings. You can contact me at deleanor@reed.edu.