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COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL FEBRUARY 8, 2017 9A Local law enforcement addresses immigration confusion CGPD cites existing Oregon law prohibiting round-up of undocumented residents The nation- al debate over executive or- ders and potential enforcement concerning ille- gal immigration stretch into another week, local offi cials continue to note that state law prevents Oregon law enforcement from acting solely based on an individual's immigration status. Governor Kate Brown issued an executive or- der on Feb. 2 in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump preventing individuals from seven Muslim-majority coun- tries from entering the United States for 90 days. The order was more commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban." "We have heard threats of a Muslim registry at the federal level," Brown said. "I don't know how sincere these threats are, but I want to be absolute- ly clear: We will not participate." Oregon Revised Statute 181.850 prohibits state law enforcement from using state funds or per- sonnel for the detection or apprehension of indi- viduals solely based on their immigration status. Brown's executive order expanded the law, bar- ring all Oregon state agencies from using public resources to locate undocumented residents. Locally, the Cottage Grove Police Department said it is bound by Oregon law and would not participate in any investigation which centered around an individual's immigration status alone. "We assist all law enforcement agencies but we are not the lead in those cases," Police Chief Scott Shepherd said. Local law enforcement is required to report un- documented individuals to the proper authorities but only after the individual has committed a sep- arate crime. "Really, the reporting process is the submission of the fi ngerprints," Detective Conrad Gagner ex- plained. While school districts statewide have passed or implemented policies aimed at protecting poten- tially undocumented students from being subject to federal raids, Shepherd said the likelihood of federal agencies coming into local schools is slim. "When they passed the law, 30 years ago now, BY CAITLYN MAY cmay@cgsentinel.com that's one of the reasons is they were having those raids," Gagner said of ORS 181.850. However, the CGPD is of the position that state law prohibits them from aiding any outside law enforcement investigation based solely on immi- gration status and the department has made steps to ensure the local immigrant population under- stands this position. "We've done outreach," Shepherd said of the large Guatemalan population in Cottage Grove. "We want them to understand that we have laws against domestic violence and that we are here to help, that we will not act based on whether or not they may or may not be here illegally." However, language barriers make it diffi cult. Due to the different regional dialects, oftentimes Spanish-speakers cannot translate directly be- tween offi cers and Guatemalan residents. "We may need to do more outreach," Shepherd said. "I would hope that it would continue to operate as it has," Gagner said of immigration enforce- ment in Oregon noting that the department has cooperated with outside agencies in regards to an undocumented individual before, but only after the individual had committed a separate crime he described as serious. "No matter who is pres- ident," he said. "Bloviating is one thing but the execution of something is another." Oregon Governor signed an executive order on Feb. 2 extending a current state law prohibiting law enforcement from acting soley on an individual's immigration status. No law enforcement agency of the State of Oregon or of any political subdivision of the state shall use agency moneys, equipment or personnel for the purpose of detecting or apprehending persons whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a law enforcement agency may exchange information with the United States Bureau of Im- migration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Bureau of Citizen- ship and Immigration Services and the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in order to: (a) Verify the immigration status of a person if the person is arrested for any criminal offense; or (b) Request criminal investigation information with reference to persons named in records of the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs IT’S YOUR NEWS. READ ALL ABOUT IT YOUR WAY. Get the latest in news, sports, entertainment and shopping any way you like it. From home delivery to electronic subscriptions we keep you in the know and on the go. Cottage Grove Sentinel www.cgsentinel.com Get all the bonus features that come with your electronic subscription. Go to www.cgsentinel.com for details. Enforcement, the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services or the United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a law enforcement agency may arrest any person who: (a) Is charged by the United States with a criminal violation of federal immigration laws under Title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act or 18 U.S.C. 1015, 1422 to 1429 or 1505; and (b) Is subject to arrest for the crime pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by a federal magistrate. (4) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the Bureau of Labor and Industries is not a law enforcement agency. (5) As used in this section, warrant of arrest has the meaning given that term in ORS 131.005 (General defi nitions). [1987 c.467 §1; 2003 c.571 §1] COMMUNITY BRIEFS Spaghetti feed and dance On Friday, Feb 10 at 5:30 p.m. the Cottage Grove Safe Haven is having a spaghetti feed and dance with a D.J. at the Cath- olic Church Community Hall. The event is to raise money for a women's recovery home in Cottage Grove. The cost is $10 for dinner and dance. The dance starts at 7 p.m. and the cost of participating in the dance and forging dinner is $5. Contact Katy Owens at (541) 942-7420 for more information. CVC presents movie Friday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. the Cottage Village Coalition will be showing the movie, "The Lady in the Van" starring Maggie Smith. The movie will be shown at the community cen- ter as part of an education effort concerning homelessness and a fundraising effort for a pro- posed tiny house community in Cottage Grove for low-income people to keep them from fall- ing into homelessness. Suggest- ed donation is $10. Swimmming lessons Swim lessons began at the end of January at the Cottage Grove swimming pool. The les- sons begin at 8:45 a.m. and run through July. Five 45-minute lessons cost $29 and drop-in lessons are $6 per lesson. For more information, call (541) 820-8321 Cottage Grove Sentinel presents... tr y Fee is Only 15 n E Open to Pets of South Lane Co. Residents $ Half of your entry will be donated to the Humane Society of Cottage Grove which provides spay and neuter assistance to low income families in South Lane County. Home Delivery Rates: Annual (52 weeks) $36.15 10 Weeks $9.10 e-Edition Only $33.55 per year Call 541-942-3325 or visit www.cgsentinel.com for details. To enter your pet, simply send a photo (no computer printouts please) along with the coupon below and $15 by Thursday, March 9, 2017 to Cottage Grove Sentinel, PO Box 35, 116 N. 6th Street, Cottage Grove, OR. or email to: publisher@cgsentinel.com After entries are received, the brag book will appear in the Cottage Grove Sentinel, Wednesday, March 5, 2017. A panel of judges will determine the winner. Owner’s Names Owner’s Address Phone # Pet’s Name Type of Animal Age of Pet If you would like your photo returned please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.