As Sheriff, I attended an event with Attorney General Jeff Sessions today hoping to have an opportunity to engage in a productive dialogue about the role of federal immigration versus the role of local law enforcement.
The role of local public safety is clear -- codified in Oregon law and affirmed by the courts -- we are not a de facto arm of federal immigration. During today's discussion, Attorney General Sessions refused to acknowledge the 2014 federal court decision barring Oregon Sheriff's from holding adults in custody based solely on ICE detainers.
There are legal ways for federal, state, and local law enforcement to cooperate to help keep our communities safe and I support those efforts. These include holding offenders accountable on state and federal criminal matters.
I want to be clear, I fundamentally believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
As a result, established MCSO policies and practices remain in place. Our most important obligation is to maintain a trusting relationship with the community to keep everyone safe.
Thank you,
Michael Reese
SHERIFF
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The role of local public safety is clear -- codified in Oregon law and affirmed by the courts -- we are not a de facto arm of federal immigration. During today's discussion, Attorney General Sessions refused to acknowledge the 2014 federal court decision barring Oregon Sheriff's from holding adults in custody based solely on ICE detainers.
There are legal ways for federal, state, and local law enforcement to cooperate to help keep our communities safe and I support those efforts. These include holding offenders accountable on state and federal criminal matters.
I want to be clear, I fundamentally believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
As a result, established MCSO policies and practices remain in place. Our most important obligation is to maintain a trusting relationship with the community to keep everyone safe.
Thank you,
Michael Reese
SHERIFF
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