Attorney General Pam Bondi Issues Directive To Cut Hillsboro and Beaverton Federal Funding

Careful- Opinions and Statements of Research bases facts offered from this point on.

Today, new Attorney General Pam Bondi took action after being sworn in. And she isn’t screwing around.  I think she is a horrible choice for the Attorney General, and she proved that before she even sat down in her now very powerful chair. And to clear the record with complete transparency, as a writer and community leader, I despise Donald Trump.  Not because he is a Republican.  But because he is a horrible human being.  He is a convicted felon- and so much worse.  Having been a Republican and raised in a Conservative Republican home, I know what a good Republican looks like.  And there are a whole lot of them. Many are friends and neighbors.  He is not one of them.  But he also is not a good American- regardless of any party he is in, he is the least of us.  Period.  And as an Independent, I was not a Biden fan either.  Like a whole hell of a lot of you, I am F-ing Fed up!

On to Bondi and our Community.  She has made it official.  Hillsboro and other Sanctuary Cities are in a tough spot.  We now are faced with the FACT- not the speculation that we will lose Federal money as a Sanctuary City.  Period.  There is fear gripping our community, and many of our 25% Latino population, their friends, families, children, business associates, Customers, and everyone in their world are terrified. I know them, I hear them, I see them.  And I am with them.

From The Memo Issued 2-5-25 by Pam Bondi, US Attorney General

NOW WE FIND OUT- What will our leaders do- and what is their personal commitment?

As a journalist, I am going to do something to help.  Because information is power and double-speak and posturing are only going to feed into the fear, the Hillsboro Herald is sending emails and requests for statements to every Mayor, law enforcement leader, and every Civic and Non-profit leader in Western Washington County who we feel are in a position to influence and help our community members. 

We will ask them all the same questions:

1.  Will The US Attorney General’s Directive to Stop All Federal Funding, assuming it is not able to be overturned or halted, alter the Sanctuary City status of your City?
2. Will you personally fight to maintain the Sanctuary City status, and if so, how far are you willing to go?
3. What will you direct police, law enforcement, and other first responders to do now that your City/County faces being defunded?
4. For Representatives of Civic and Non-Profit Organizations, we will ask what their organization is specifically telling their members and those they serve regarding ICE, Deportation, and issues surrounding Sanctuary Cities as outlined in 1-3 above.

Talks is cheap – social media posts are free, and everyone looks like a warrior.  But now it is time for the real brave ones to step up and answer the questions on the record for you, the people.

As answers come in, we will update this story.  This is a time when campaign promises will be tested.  And this is a terrible situation to be in.  But when ICE comes, and they are coming, if not already here in Washington County, Oregon, what are the marching orders now that we know funds are on the line?

Reviewing who is a Sanctuary City and who is not.  This is the best research I have as of tonight.

Washington County, Oregon- By my record and research,  Washington County leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary County.

Hillsboro –Yes, Hillsboro, Oregon is a sanctuary city – In March 2017, the City of Hillsboro officially declared itself a sanctuary city through Resolution 2552.  This commitment means that the city is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming community for all residents, regardless of their immigration status. 

Resolution No. 2552

Cornelius – From my records and research, Cornelius’ leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary City.

Forest Grove – By my record and research,  Forest Grove leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary City.

North Plains – From my records and research, North Plains leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary City.

Banks – From my records and research, Banks leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary City.

Gaston – From my records and research, Gaston leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary City.

Tigard – From my records and research, Tigard leadership has passed no Resolutions or laws and is NOT a Sanctuary City.

Oregon has strong statewide sanctuary laws that limit the ability of local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. While specific cities and counties in Washington County may not have their own explicit “sanctuary city” policies, they operate under these state laws.

Here’s what Oregon’s sanctuary laws generally entail:

• Limits on Information Sharing: State and local law enforcement cannot inquire about or share information regarding a person’s immigration status with federal immigration authorities.
• Restrictions on Enforcement: State and local law enforcement cannot participate in federal immigration enforcement actions, such as detaining individuals based on immigration detainers or participating in joint operations with ICE.
• Protection from Arrest at Courthouses: Individuals cannot be arrested at courthouses or while traveling to or from court based on immigration warrants, except for judicial warrants.

Washington County and its cities generally adhere to these state laws. This means that local law enforcement in the towns like Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office would generally not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement in ways that violate the state’s sanctuary laws.

It’s important to note that interpreting and implementing sanctuary laws can sometimes be complex, and there may be specific situations or exceptions. However, the general principle is that Oregon’s state laws create a framework that limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement throughout Washington County.

For more information, you can refer to the following resources:

• Oregon Department of Justice – Sanctuary Promise: This website provides detailed information about Oregon’s sanctuary laws and how to report violations.
• Washington County Sheriff’s Office: You can contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office directly for information about their policies and practices regarding immigration enforcement.

What Would I Do:  Easy to be a writer- but I know what I would do.

• I would not cooperate with ICE and forced Deportations.
• All criminals need to be arrested and detained and answer for their crimes. That needs to happen. We can do that with the WASH CO Sherrif and our local police.
• Our undocumented neighbors play an essential role in American and Oregon economics.  They always have since the day the US opened for business. Grabbing them up and paying thousands of dollars of our taxpayer money to deport them is terrible for the economy, a bad idea, inhumane, and it is stupid.  And let’s be honest- these new policies are coming from a felon and worse.
• These are people who have lived here for decades.  The cultural enrichment they have brought to our communities has been immense.
• The best solution is:
  • Creating pathways to legal status for undocumented immigrants already in the country, particularly those who have strong ties to their communities, contribute to the economy, and have no serious criminal record.
  • We can all agree on working with our neighbors to create stronger border security. That has to happen to stop the flow of drugs and criminal enterprise.
  • Ensuring access to necessities and respecting their dignity and human rights. It also means minimizing family separations and prioritizing the well-being of children.
  • Recognize how much healthier and vibrant, both Culturally and Economically, our City is when we bring those undocumented into full compliance with the laws.  We win together- working together.
  • We need to promote public education campaigns that highlight the positive contributions of immigrants to society and the economy.
  • Recognize and understand that many are fleeing violence, poverty, or persecution in their home countries.  We need to show compassion.

I may not be the best Christian, but I can tell you that Jesus would never agree to the deportations being carried out the way they are being carried out.  Nor would he approve of Bondi or Trump and the Blitzkrieg scorched earth policies they are executing.

Bonus Content:  If Trump is that serious about deportation and ridding the country of the criminal scum, why hasn’t he emptied the State Peniteniaries of illegal aliens servicing their sentences?  I mean that hasn’t been really in the news.  You know why?  It doesn’t make headlines and spread fear.  That is what he really wants. Think about that one.

As for Hillsboro, my hometown, I must offer this.  Last night, our City Council chose not to offer the Council Presidency to the most seasoned Councilor, Olivia Alcaire. This broke with tradition.  She made a compelling case and was one of the people who made Hillsboro a Sanctuary City.  Councilors Anvery, Case, and Salgado (all in their 3rd meeting ever) sat silent after nominating Councilor Rob Harris for the President’s role- and had no questions nor entered into the debate when asked by Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair, who nominated Alcaire.  With Mayor Beach Pace also not wanting to debate and the quick slam of the gavel, it was over.  The person who fought the most for Sanctuary and had so much to offer was rejected – and it was harsh and hard to watch. The unwillingness to debate or engage spoke volumes- there is no room for such lackluster performances from here on out, especially not on this issue.

Mayor Pace and her wife Jincy, a Hillsboro Police Commander, certainly have their hands full with this entire topic.  Beach is a strong person and never holds her tongue.  Recently, she posted a very passionate plea to shop along 10th Avenue / Calle Diez at Latino-owned businesses after dropping into a meeting with business owners for a bit.  Her passion shined through in this post.  Now, we will find out how deep that well is and how she will respond to Bondi, Trump, and the dilemma she faces as the voice of the City of Hillsboro and its people, both citizens and undocumented immigrants.  Look for Pace’s response in our next installment on this matter.

 

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And in Los Angeles, this is where we are headed.  Is this coming to Hillsboro?

 

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