Immigration and Customs Enforcement escalated its use of subpoenas to Oregon law enforcement agencies on Friday, issuing five additional requests to sheriffs and police agencies in the state for information on people ICE wants to deport.
The move follows a similar effort to get around Oregon's sanctuary state law last week by subpoenaing the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The sanctuary law prevents Oregon law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.
The latest subpoenas were sent to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and the Hillsboro Police Department. The people ICE is seeking details about have been charged or convicted of crimes that range from driving under the influence to drug use and possession charges.
U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said he called the agencies personally to notify leaders the subpoenas would be coming from ICE. He said the information ICE is seeking is something the U.S. Department of Justice is intent on pursuing.
"We're prepared to do what we do, which is go to court," Williams told OPB. "If we need to go to court we'll do that."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office has already said it would comply with the subpoenas.
"I was delighted to read that Sheriff [Pat] Garrett has announced that they would be in compliance and respond to the information requested," Williams said. "I'm hopeful that others that have been served as of today respond in kind."
ICE began the practice of subpoenaing law enforcement agencies in so called sanctuary jurisdictions last month. Oregon's sanctuary law is one of the oldest of its kind in the country.
Wasco and Clackamas counties said Friday they're still reviewing the subpoenas. It's not yet clear whether the other local agencies plan to comply.
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