By Gabriel Elmosleh
News Editor

According to a Department of Homeland Security statement, campuses are no longer off limits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, the college’s safety director, Dennis Marks, said the odds of immigration enforcement happening on the Clackamas Community College campus are low.

“I don’t anticipate that to be very likely,” said Marks. “I would caution you to be patient and to wait and see, but obviously, I’m not very worried about that. I don’t foresee that our college is going to be targeted. That would be really unusual.”

Dennis Marks, Campus Safety director. Photo provided by CCC

Still, the college has sent emails to staff and students with information about what to do if ICE officials appear on campus. 

In the event that ICE is on campus for any reason, Marks said that students should call Campus Safety.

Campus Safety car patrolling on campus. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo

Tim Cook, the president of the college, also sent out an email on Feb. 5, reaffirming the school’s priority to protect the information of students. 

“If law enforcement comes to campus with a subpoena or warrant, the college will review the request, verify its legal validity, and ensure it follows the law before providing any information,” Cook wrote. “Our priority is to handle these situations appropriately and protect our students’ rights.”

Pam Bondi, the newly appointed Attorney General of the United States, released a series of memos to Department of Justice offices nationwide. One of them, titled “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives,” explains how the Trump Administration will “pursue enforcement” against sanctuary cities.

Pam Bondi, Attorney General of the United States. Photo from the Justice Department instagram.

The memo states that the DOJ will cut funding to state and local jurisdictions that they believe will interfere with federal law enforcement operations. The DOJ will use its authority to enforce its conditions of funding, essentially forcing local jurisdictions to abide by their rules.

The memo also seeks to identify funding agreements with nongovernmental organizations that provide help to “Illegal Aliens.” Upon identifying these NGOs, these organizations will have their federal funding rescinded.

The memo goes on to say that the DOJ seeks to pursue enforcement against jurisdictions that commit violations of federal immigration laws or laws that stand in the way of federal immigration operations. According to an employee of the DOJ, individuals within the department who do not comply with these reforms are to face prosecution. 

Oregon itself is considered a sanctuary state, and its police departments are expected to not collaborate with federal authorities.

Shaun Davis, the chief of the Oregon City Police department, said, “There are very specific ORS’s (Oregon Revised Statutes) that prohibit Oregon law enforcement from participating with routine immigration investigations and enforcement activities. In addition, we also can’t hinder federal authorities from doing their job in public places. We will continue to monitor any legislative changes or court decisions related to this topic.”

The mayor of Oregon City said the city will follow Oregon law. 

“Essentially, it is illegal in Oregon for law enforcement to participate in routine immigration investigations for and enforcement,” said Denyse McGriff, the mayor of Oregon City.

Denyse McGriff, the mayor of Oregon City. Photo from the OrCity.Org

McGriff firmly believes in the authority that the State of Oregon gives her, and until the State changes its mindset on how local authorities will work with Federal authorities, she will abide by state law.

“When all the elected officials take their oath of office, we raise our right hand to uphold our municipal code requirements, the state of Oregon laws, and the {Oregon} Constitution,” she said.

This memo comes after the Chief of the Portland Police Bureau, Bob Day, publicly announced that PPB will not be participating in any ICE raids unless they receive a federal warrant to do so.

Bob Day, chief of the Portland Police Bureau, during his swearing in ceremony. Photo from Portland.Gov

John Wildhaber of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office said, “The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow state law regarding immigration enforcement, including enforcement of a qualifying judicial warrant.”