Chief Skinner: EPD does not participate in federal immigration enforcement
2 min read
by Chief Chris Skinner
The Eugene Police Department (EPD) does not participate in federal immigration enforcement and is legally prohibited from doing so under both state law and local ordinance. We are here to serve every resident and visitor, including our immigrant community.
Eugene is committed to being a welcoming, safe, and inclusive city for everyone (Resolution 5174). The city has strong protections in place to ensure that community members can report crimes or concerns to police without fear of involvement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Everyone deserves safety, dignity, and equal access to justice, and that starts with feeling safe to seek help.
Eugene has taken additional steps to reinforce these protections. On March 13, 2017, the City Council unanimously adopted the Protection for Individuals Ordinance (Ordinance 20579). This ordinance prohibits the use of city resources, including funding, equipment, or personnel such as Eugene Police officers, for the purpose of detecting or apprehending individuals solely based on immigration status. Our City Council also adopted Resolution 5073, establishing a Statement of Principles for Immigrant Integration.
Oregon has been a sanctuary state for nearly 40 years, and Eugene continues to uphold the values behind that law: fairness, inclusion, and community trust. Local and state law enforcement officers are not responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws. In Oregon, it is illegal for police to:
- Collaborate with ICE
- Participate in federal immigration enforcement
- Ask about a person’s immigration status
- Collect or request immigration status information, with very limited exceptions.
Eugene Police Department Identification and Oversight
Federal agents may wear uniforms with the word POLICE on them, which may cause confusion about Eugene Police officers being involved in immigration enforcement actions happening in our community. Here are some tips on how to identify our officers:
- Eugene Police officers wear uniforms with badges and patches or drive marked vehicles.
- Detectives and specialized teams may wear plain clothes but are required to identify themselves when asked.
- Eugene Police officers do not participate in immigration enforcement activities.
Eugene Police officers are prohibited from using any resources to support immigration enforcement. The Department is held accountable through one of the most robust oversight systems in Oregon, including an Independent Police Auditor and a Civilian Review Board. They will investigate any reported involvement of Eugene Police officers in immigration activities not authorized by state and local law.
As your chief of Police, I want to make sure you know our commitment to serve and protect every person in our community. We are here for you.
You can contact Chief Skinner by email at policechief@ci.eugene.or.us or phone 541-682-5102.
