Feds Kept Local Sheriff in Dark About ICE Role in Cannabis Raid — Straining Oregon Sanctuary Laws
A covert federal operation in Oregon has exposed cracks in the state’s sanctuary protections, raising alarms over immigration enforcement tactics. Documents reveal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) secretly participated in a 2024 cannabis raid—without notifying local law enforcement, sidestepping Oregon’s limits on police collaboration with federal immigration agents.
The Raid: Hidden ICE Involvement
Internal records show Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents raided an illegal cannabis grow in Jackson County, ostensibly targeting drug trafficking. But ICE agents were quietly embedded in the operation, detaining at least four individuals for immigration violations—a detail the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says it never approved.
Sheriff Nate Sickler, whose deputies assisted under the guise of a narcotics operation, called the omission a breach of trust:
“We were blindsided. Our policy prohibits aiding ICE. Had we known, we wouldn’t have participated.”
Sanctuary Laws at Risk
Oregon’s 1987 sanctuary law bars local police from aiding immigration enforcement, a policy strengthened in 2021. Legal experts argue federal agencies exploited the raid to circumvent these rules.
“This is a deliberate end-run around state law,” said Luis Guerra of the Oregon Justice Resource Center. “They’re using deception to force local compliance.”
Federal-Local Tensions Escalate
The raid reflects broader clashes between progressive states and ICE, which continues aggressive enforcement despite Biden administration pledges to prioritize public safety threats. Advocates warn such tactics deter immigrant communities from reporting crimes.
Maria Hernandez of Unite Oregon:
“ICE’s secrecy breeds fear. Oregon’s laws are meaningless if the feds ignore them.”
Federal Defense and Political Fallout
HSI called the collaboration “routine” for transnational crime probes, but Oregon’s congressional leaders—including Senators Wyden and Merkley—demanded DHS accountability. Wyden stated:
“Oregonians deserve transparency. We need answers.”
Next Steps: Legal and Policy Repercussions
Jackson County will now require written ICE exclusion clauses before assisting federal operations. The incident could prompt lawsuits if evidence shows local resources aided immigration enforcement—and may test sanctuary laws nationwide.
