Portland moves toward sanctuary status with binding ordinance

Portland is moving to cement its sanctuary policies with a binding city ordinance that would codify protections into law. The City Council's Community and Public Safety Committee is set to review the measure on Tuesday, seeking to expand a 2017 resolution that declared Portland a sanctuary city and has guided limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities. If enacted, the ordinance would make sanctuary status a formal legal framework rather than a policy statement and would apply across city agencies, signaling a deliberate shift in how the city handles immigration enforcement within its borders.

The draft ordinance would prohibit the use of city resources to enforce federal immigration laws and bar city employees, contractors and police from assisting federal immigration officers investigating or detaining people suspected of illegal entry. It would also block city agencies from collecting or sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, unless compelled by a court order. The measure quotes the city’s policy stance, saying the City of Portland "recognizes and values the diverse contributions of all individuals" and commits to treating all people with dignity regardless of race, color, national origin, immigration or refugee status. All city employees would be required to complete a training course covering sanctuary policies, the difference between administrative and judicial warrants, and how to respond if immigration agents attempt to access city property or information. The ordinance also designates all municipal buildings as "Sanctuary City Safe Spaces" with signage in multiple languages clarifying public and restricted areas.

In another provision, the city would regularly file Freedom of Information Act requests with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, and would release legally disclosable information—such as the names of people detained in Portland and the offenses alleged— to the mayor, council and the public at least once a year. Each bureau would also submit quarterly reports on training completion and on immigration enforcement activity.

Exceptions would apply only in cases where Portland police arrest someone formally charged with federal immigration crimes under a judicial warrant. Such arrests would be disclosed in an annual report to the council, including the names of the officials and federal agents involved.

Public testimony has been strong in support: more than two dozen people filed written statements, according to KATU, and only one testimony opposed the proposal. One supporter wrote, "I think it's important to reflect our shared values in our city code and not rely on state policy."

Political context emphasizes Portland’s local governance: the City Council is comprised of 12 members, all Democrats, and the mayor is a Democrat. Fox News Digital reached out to the Portland mayor’s office and the City Council for comment but did not immediately hear back.

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