Roseburg City Council Adopts Sanctuary Law Compliance Ordinance

The Roseburg City Council worked through a packed agenda Monday night, including the adoption of a new ordinance addressing compliance with Oregon sanctuary laws.

During its June 8 meeting, the council approved Ordinance No. 3626 following a second reading. The ordinance adds language to the Roseburg Municipal Code requiring the City of Roseburg, including its officers, employees and agents, to comply with Oregon sanctuary laws, including ORS 180.805, ORS 180.810 and ORS 181A.820 through 181A.829. Those laws limit how local agencies may assist with federal immigration enforcement.

Those laws include restrictions on how public bodies may share personal information, such as a person’s address or contact details, for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration law. They also limit how law enforcement agencies may use public resources, including agency money, equipment and personnel, in immigration enforcement activities.

The ordinance follows weeks of discussion in Roseburg after a federal contract opportunity posted in March listed Roseburg among several cities where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was seeking office space. That posting drew local attention and prompted discussion at multiple council meetings.

On April 27, the council voted to move forward with preparing an ordinance. A first reading was held May 11, when residents spoke both in favor of and against the ordinance and the potential presence of ICE in Roseburg.

Public comment continued Monday night, with residents again sharing divided views. Some speakers argued the ordinance did not go far enough and said the city should take stronger action in response to community concerns. Others voiced support for federal immigration enforcement and said the city should not take steps that would interfere with ICE or law enforcement work.