Local law enforcement, your city, county, and state teams, including the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), do not enforce federal immigration laws or work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Oregon law prevents local agencies from cooperating with ICE detainers.

Oregon sheriff’s offices do not keep people in jail solely based on their immigration status.

Like many other local law enforcement agencies in Oregon, MCSO’s primary goal is to keep our community safe and build trust with everyone who lives in Multnomah County.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Does the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) enforce federal immigration laws?
A: No, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office does not enforce federal immigration laws. Oregon law says that no law enforcement agency in the state can use its funding, equipment, or personnel to find or arrest people whose only crime is being undocumented or violating federal immigration laws.

Q: If I call the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office to report a crime, will deputies check my immigration status?
A: No, as a general matter state law does not allow deputies to ask about immigration or citizenship status to enforce federal immigration laws

Crime victims who are undocumented should not hesitate to call MCSO to report crimes. MCSO deputies will investigate crimes no matter the immigration status of victims. Making a police report will not notify federal immigration authorities.

Deputies may need to ask about or document a person’s immigration status if it’s part of investigating a crime in the community or required by state or federal law to confirm someone’s identity. However, these inquiries cannot be used for federal immigration enforcement. An exception exists if a victim or witness might qualify for an immigration visa or protection for cooperating with law enforcement during a criminal investigation.

Q: What should I do if federal immigration agents question me? Can I call MCSO for help and protection? Will ICE agents notify MCSO before taking action?
A: The federal government has the legal authority to operate in Portland, and MCSO cannot interfere with their work.

If you ever feel your rights are being violated or that you or someone you know is facing unjust immigration enforcement, the state of Oregon provides a hotline and online resources for reporting such incidents. Click here to report a sanctuary promise violation to the state of Oregon.

MCSO is not made aware of ICE actions before they happen.

Q: What if an undocumented person is arrested for a crime? Will MCSO hand them over to ICE?
A: No, local law enforcement, including MCSO, has no authority to arrest based on their immigration status or are the subject of an ICE or Customs and Border Protections (CBP) investigation.

Q: Does the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office hold people in jail because of their immigration status?
A: No, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office cannot hold individuals in jail based solely on their immigration status.

Q: Which arrest warrants does local law enforcement enforce?
A: Local law enforcement enforces judicial arrest warrants for criminal activity that are reflected in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Local law enforcement does not enforce administrative arrest warrants issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as they pertain to federal immigration law, which is outside local law enforcement’s authority.

Q: What is the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office policy regarding working with ICE?
A: MCSO Policy 700 provides instruction to MCSO employees if they are contacted by ICE officers. MCSO focuses on public safety and does not enforce federal immigration laws. MCSO does not honor ICE detainers or use its resources for immigration enforcement. The policy is publicly available on our website. 

Q: How can I help prevent fear and misinformation?
A: Share only verified information and check facts before spreading reports. This helps avoid unnecessary fear and stress in the community.

Q: What is the focus of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office?
A: Our focus is on keeping the community safe and building trust with all residents, regardless of immigration status.