Portland has once again taken its stand as a sanctuary city, replying to concerns from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The City Attorney Robert Taylor, in a letter, addressed Bondi’s claims about sanctuary policies harming federal immigration enforcement efforts. Asserting compliance with federal and state laws, Taylor affirmed Portland’s intention to adhere to these regulations, as per a letter posted on the City of Portland’s official website.
Bondi’s previous correspondence, sent to various sanctuary jurisdictions, suggested that these areas “engage in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States.” Taylor’s response was clear: “Please take this letter as the City’s response that the City of Portland complies with applicable federal and state laws, and the City of Portland will continue to follow such laws,” as noted by the City of Portland.
Portland officials have long championed their city as a safe harbor for immigrants, contributing positively to various aspects of city life. Central to the sanctuary city declaration is a policy that prohibits city employees, including police officers, from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents beyond what federal law explicitly demands…