Douglas County approves anti-sanctuary resolution

Presenter: As the summer break ends, and public meetings resume, Lane County residents draw attention to a July 22 meeting where Douglas County commissioners declared the intent ‘not to be a sanctuary county.’ Chair Tom Kress: 

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Going to do things a little different today. So if you’re here for item No. 9, because of the vague nature of the agenda description, we’re going to have the comments on that after the presentation. So you know exactly what it is the presentation is about. Okay. Because we didn’t really spell it out on here.

Presenter: Agenda item No. 9 was this presentation by Abbie Malek for the Douglas County Citizens Coalition:

Abbie Malek: The Douglas County Citizens Coalition is just nothing really formal or organized. Just a group of residents of Douglas County who believe in being positively proactive, constitutionally-based ideas in the county.  To give a little background on what that is, which is just people.

We would like to see or hear a county proclamation or statement that shows Douglas County support for all levels of law enforcement agencies, from city to county to state to federal, to be able to do their jobs and without interference.

Contrary to influencer or fake media information, law enforcement agencies investigate people who have or are breaking the law.

Law enforcement is here to protect our community by maintaining law and order. So long as citizens are living and behaving in a way that falls within the law and order, there should be no issues.

As taxpaying constituents, we also do not want county resources to be applied in any effort to deter any form of law enforcement from doing their jobs and enforcing policies at all levels. Crime is rampant in the county. Local law enforcement agencies are dealing with cartel and crimes would testify to that.

In addition to local businesses and residents of the county who are heavily impacted daily. Drugs being a tremendous problem in Douglas County are primarily brought in illegally over our borders.

And I have a husband who is a law enforcement officer, who has given me that information time and time again. So that’s a local source.  

We support the enforcement of all policy that eliminates or reduces our local drug and crime problems. So that’s what our request is for. Proclamation of state county support for that.

Presenter: Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress: 

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): So let me make sure I understand: You would like us to make a proclamation or a resolution in support of law enforcement.

Abbie Malek: All forms, all agencies, city, county, state and federal law enforcement. All law enforcement, yes.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Any questions on that? Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. So as I promised earlier, I’m going to allow now comments on that agenda item.

Presenter: After public comment, Commissioner Chris Boice:

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): So I’ve got a draft that I wrote over the last few weeks. This is really born out of individual citizens contacting me and asking, you know, ‘Hey, where’s the county on this?’

But as important as it is for people to know what our opinions on this are, I think it’s also important for people to understand I have zero law enforcement authority. I don’t get to direct law enforcement in this county in any way, shape or form at any level.

We have a sheriff who’s elected just like we are. He’s in charge of law enforcement within the county. And really, this is his purview and not ours. 

I’m happy to state my opinion. I’m happy to see if I can put together an opinion that you two agree with, so that the public is aware of where we stand. And this is what I hope that I’ve put on paper.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Would you mind reading that for me?

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): And I’ll read it. And this is in the form of a resolution.

Presenter: Commissioner Tim Freeman:

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): A resolution is just stating our opinion, (Right.) It’s not an ordinance.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): It’s not a law. It’s not an ordinance. It’s a statement of position.

Douglas County participant: Does it represent the county’s position?

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): If we vote on it, yes, as a body.

Presenter: Commissioner Chris Boice:

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): So and really, it goes along the lines of what Abbie had mentioned. 

And I’ve got to tell you, it’s very confusing to me to have people in here recognize the fact that the county is subservient to state law, but refuse to recognize the fact that the state is subservient to federal law. (Applause, crosstalk)

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): At this point in time, he’s talking. So please listen to them.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): Anyway, it’s all supposed to go together. And that was Abbie’s point. And so this is what I wrote to sort of take a shot at that:

A resolution of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, expressing support for the principles and policies of the current administration, and declaring the county’s intention not to be a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County—

Douglas County participant: Do you hear the responses you’re getting?

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Will you let him list this out? Okay.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): Whereas the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Oregon (hereinafter, the Board) is charged with representing the interest of the citizens of Douglas County and ensuring the public health, safety and welfare.

Whereas, the Board is committed to upholding the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Oregon, and to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all its residents. 

Whereas, the Board recognizes the importance of clear policies regarding cooperation with all levels of government, including federal agencies, in the enforcement of laws duly enacted by federal and state legislative bodies.

Whereas, the current administration has implemented various policies aimed at strengthening national security, promoting economic prosperity, enforcing immigration laws, and ensuring the rule of law.

Whereas, Douglas County wishes to affirm its support for principles and policies that uphold the rule of law, promote public safety, encourage economic stability, and ensure robust cooperation among local, state, and federal authorities.

Whereas, the term ‘sanctuary county’ commonly refers to local governments that have adopted policies, ordinances or resolutions that limit or discourage cooperation with federal immigration authorities in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Whereas, Douglas County opposes any Oregon state law that contradicts the current administration and federal law.

Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners believes it is in the best interest of the citizens of Douglas County and for the maintenance of the public order, safety, and equitable application of laws, that Douglas County not operate as a sanctuary jurisdiction and instead fully cooperate with federal authorities to the extent required and permitted by law.

And now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County—

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Please let him finish.

Douglas County participant: This wasn’t on the agenda.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Would you please.

Douglas County participant: This wasn’t on the agenda. 

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Let him finish, please. Go ahead.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): And now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Oregon, as follows.

Section 1. Douglas County hereby expresses its appreciation and support for the efforts and policies of the current administration that are directed towards enhancing national security, securing the nation’s borders, supporting law enforcement, promoting economic growth, and upholding the consistent enforcement of federal laws.

Section 2. Douglas County, Oregon, hereby declares its intent not to be a sanctuary county and opposes the adoption of any state laws, policies, or ordinances or resolutions that would cause it to be designated or operated as such.

Section 3. Douglas County will continue to support and cooperate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the lawful enforcement of all applicable laws, including federal immigration laws, to the extent permitted by the United States and the Oregon State Constitutions.

Section 4.  No county resources, funds, facilities, equipment, or personnel shall be intentionally used to obstruct or hinder the enforcement of federal immigration laws, where such enforcement is being carried out in accordance with the law. County officials and employees shall cooperate with federal immigration authorities in the discharge of their lawful duties, consistent with applicable legal requirements and limitations.

Section 5. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption. 

That’s what I put together as a proposal.

Presenter: Commissioner Kress:

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Sheriff, I just would like to ask you if, I heard state law quite a bit in there that were, you know, applicable state laws and stuff. Is that a resolution you can live with? What’s your thoughts on that?

Presenter: Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin:

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: There’s a lot of state laws that make public safety, put public safety at risk—if we follow. But we have to follow.

And we recognize that. (That’s true.) That said, I want to thank the board for this resolution and I want to thank those of you in the crowd that support the resolution and or that support law enforcement and the rule of law.

So I don’t know if I—I don’t know if I answered your question.

Douglas County participant: How about letting someone exercise their First Amendment right?

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: I’m doing that now. So, did I answer the question?

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): I think so. Yeah. I just wanted to make sure—

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: It’s a very difficult balance, obviously.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): We certainly don’t want to put you in a position where you’re having to violate anything, and so I wanted to make sure that was, yeah.

Presenter: Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman:

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): So basically you’re trying to manage and your officers through your direction, your deputies a conflict between state and federal law. 

And there’s other conflicts of state and federal law out there that you have to manage and it becomes, you know, sort of a challenge at times, right? 

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: Correct.

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): And the challenge for us is that we don’t enforce any laws. You do that. But we’re being asked what our opinion is. And a resolution is basically our opinion. It doesn’t affect what you’re going to do. 

You’re going to do what you’re going to do, ’cause you’re elected independently of us, unlike a city where a city council hires a city manager and that city manager hires a police chief who works for the city manager. 

And of course the city manager works for the city council. Much different type of arrangements that our 12 cities have than we have here at the county.

But ultimately, this resolution is an opinion of the position that we believe the county should be at. And I think one of the things I didn’t hear in this, you said administration, I’m assuming you mean federal administration.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: Yes. 

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): And I’m not sure it really talked too much about when there was a conflict between state and federal law, which again, I think that’s something you deal with and have been dealing with your entire career, right? 

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: Correct. (Yeah. Okay.) And certainly this issue is probably the worst conflict that we’ve really had to deal with in my 37 years of being in law enforcement. (Yeah.)

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): Well, and then there’s all the other things that come up and of course.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): Kind of makes you not want to do it anymore, doesn’t it, Sheriff. 

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): You know, my role as the chair of the DINT (Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team) board, I of course am more involved in some of the enforcement of illegal drug activities, which there’s a tremendous intersection between illegal immigration and illegal drug activities to the point where there’s even some nationally-recognized cartels that are part of that here in Douglas County.

So I understand that challenge even in that area of enforcement. It’s pretty difficult. Our DINT team includes federal organizations, so it gets pretty complicated. So complicated, right. But that conflict is a challenge and I appreciate you coming forward and understanding what we’re trying to do, but also continuing to be the sheriff that’s going to manage that conflict. Thank you.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice (July 22, 2026): Can I say a little bit more? (Yeah.)

I want to talk a little bit about where this came from and why, just real fast and, and I’m going to ask for folks to just please be patient and not shout out, because I’m going to tell you, if you’re going to be disorderly in here, it doesn’t help your cause. It just doesn’t. Okay?

We’re not talking about an issue that’s been highly politicized on Fox News or CNN. It’s not what we’re talking about here.

What we’re talking about here is our sheriff’s deputies. Our state police troopers interacting with real live illegal immigrant drug cartels in Douglas County.

I have been on the ground at the sites where before we spent a whole bunch of money and time and beefing up DINT and getting rid of this garbage in our county, we would go out to these illegal marijuana grows where they’re trafficking human beings to use as slave labor on marijuana grows, they’re dumping chemicals into our rivers.

All of the things that you folks in the room that keep yelling at us don’t want to happen were happening here in Douglas County and they’re not happening by Californians that are driving through I five on their way to Washington, or from Washingtonians driving through I five on their way to California.

A lot of it is happening with drug cartel personnel and we deal with it in real life here, I’ve seen it. We’ve gone out and mowed down the plants, and what we’re asking for is the opportunity to state our opinion that should we have illegals in our community doing nefarious things, that we are going to continue to comply with state and federal law to the best of our ability.

And that is all. It has nothing to do with anything other than actual crimes that are being committed in Douglas County and the work that we’re doing to stop it. That’s what, that’s where this came from. I don’t care what it says on CNN. Don’t care what it says on Fox News, contrary to many of your beliefs, probably I don’t watch either one of them.

Okay. This is related to the work that we and you and your deputies and the state troopers are doing in our community that we see that some of you guys in this room don’t see. That’s where it came from (applause). 

Presenter: Commissioner Kress had one last question for Sheriff Hanlin.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): One more quick question, right? I just wanted to make sure it was clear that not nothing in there, even though I know that’s our opinion and you do well, we don’t want to be, uh, run afoul of you, you know, in a way of being it not the same opinion. And I just want to make sure that nothing in that puts you in a position that you felt vulnerable at all? 

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin: Not at all. I feel completely comfortable with it. I support it. You don’t direct the Sheriff’s Office enforcement actions. You guys all know that you, you remind me that regularly. I know it. My people know it.

But when it comes to this resolution, I’m completely comfortable with it and agree with it.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Okay. Thank you.

Presenter: Commissioner Tim Freeman:

Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman (July 22, 2026): So anyway, the again this is a position, an opinion of the Board of Commissioners. It is not an ordinance. It’s not law. It’s an opinion.

And I think I agree with what you wrote in the opinion. I think it’s well written and it , balances the conflict that the sheriff has to face every day with conflicting state and federal law. It says follow the law. So I’m supportive of it.

Presenter: Commissioner Tom Kress:

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): I read everything in there. I think we’re fine with it. And I think it reflects my opinion. So. Chair is an ‘Aye’ and the motion passes. Thanks.

Douglas County participant: Shame on you for not allowing comment. (Shame! Shame!) 

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress (July 22, 2026): Meeting’s adjourned. Thank you.

Presenter: On July 22, Douglas County commissioners and the longest-serving sheriff in Douglas County history say they will cooperate with federal immigration agents. That meeting was the topic of public comment at Lane Community College Sept. 2…