Oregonians have an inherent sense of right and wrong, and can spot bad public policy a mile away, which is why in 2014 I was proud to be one of the leaders in the effort to soundly reject a new bill, passed by the Oregon Legislature, that allowed illegal immigrants to obtain official state drivers licenses.
In fact, 66 percent of Oregon voters rejected the bill, clearly demonstrating that voters understood the public safety and national security concerns that arise by rolling out the red carpet to those who are in our nation illegally.
Many of those same activists, law enforcement officials and elected officials that worked to stop the driver card bill, now have their minds set on repealing Oregon’s sanctuary state law. A “yes” vote on Measure 105, would repeal the state’s dangerous sanctuary law that has a proven track record of endangering public safety and inviting increased illegal immigration and lawlessness into the state.
Oregon’s sanctuary law not only prevents the state’s local law enforcement from sharing information and fully cooperating with federal immigration officials, it actually prevents local law enforcement from handing over dangerous criminal aliens, resulting in their release back into our communities and into the lives of unsuspecting Oregonians.This law has left a trail of heartbreak in its wake.
A perfect example of this was last year when Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese released Sergio Jose Martinez, an illegal immigrant who had been deported more than ten times. Citing the state’s sanctuary laws that prevent sheriffs from honoring immigration detainers – official holds placed on criminal immigrants before they are released from jail by federal immigration officials – Martinez was set free and went on to sexually assault a 65-year-old woman after entering her apartment through an open window, threatening her with a metal rod, tying her up with scarves and socks, punching her then escaping with her car. Just a few hours later, he assaulted a second woman at knifepoint as she was leaving work.
That’s why 18 Oregon sheriffs have endorsed and are urging Oregonians to vote “yes” on Measure 105 to repeal our sanctuary law. As they note in a joint public statement, “Respect for the law, among citizens and non-citizens alike, is indispensable to a free society.”
These sheriffs recognize that sanctuary laws are tantamount to putting out a welcome mat for illegal and criminal aliens. And we’re being taken up on that invitation: Of the 14,916 inmates in Oregon Department of Corrections prisons, 943 were foreign nationals as of July 1, according to David Olen Cross, who voluntarily compiles data and shares his information with the public.
And large numbers of illegal aliens come with high costs for taxpayers. Oregon’s estimated 146,000 illegal aliens and their children cost the state more than $1.2 billion annually.
Oregon will continue to welcome the nation’s legal immigrants with open arms, but we won’t tolerate the danger and lawlessness that are an inevitable by-product of being a designated sanctuary state. Vote “yes” on Measure 105 and put an end to this insanity.
Cynthia Kendoll has been a member of Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) since 2008. She was elected for a fourth term as president in 2010. Reach her through the OFIR website, www.OregonIR.org.