IMIrJ Co-Files Lawsuit to Enforce the Sanctuary Promise Act
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) and the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC), represented by the Oregon Law Center, have filed a lawsuit against Multnomah County and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office to enforce Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act.
What the lawsuit alleges
The lawsuit alleges that Multnomah County’s jail has been holding people for immigration-related purposes after they are legally entitled to release, including after they’ve posted bail, completed their sentence, or a judge has ordered them released. A key concern is the jail’s relationship with the U.S. Marshals Service, which the suit argues has effectively enabled the local jail to operate as a pipeline to immigration detention.
Why this matters: the Sanctuary Promise Act
Oregon strengthened its long-standing sanctuary protections through the Sanctuary Promise Act (2021) to ensure state and local resources are not used for federal immigration enforcement and to protect community members’ ability to seek help, report harm, and participate in public life without fear.
When people believe a jail (or any local agency) may funnel them into immigration detention, trust erodes. Survivors stay silent. Families avoid courts and services. Communities become less safe.
What IMIrJ and PIRC are asking the court to do
In practical terms, the lawsuit asks for a binding court order requiring Multnomah County to change how this contract operates so that people are not held beyond the time they’re entitled to release, and to require the County to use its authority to terminate the agreement if it cannot be brought into compliance. The filing also seeks to prevent future arrangements that violate Oregon sanctuary protections.
IMIrJ’s role and commitment
IMIrJ joined as a co-plaintiff because defending sanctuary is part of our moral and community commitment: when a judge says someone is free, that freedom must be honored. We will continue working alongside impacted communities, faith partners, and legal advocates to ensure Oregon’s sanctuary promise is upheld in practice, so families can live, worship, work, and seek help without fear.
Need support or want to report a sanctuary violation?
Oregon DOJ’s Sanctuary Promise program provides a reporting hotline and online portal. If you believe Oregon’s sanctuary protections have been violated, you can contact the Sanctuary Promise Violations Hotline: 1-844-924-STAY / 1-844-6-AMPARO.