In a significant move, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has directed the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to cease issuing undercover license plates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision comes amidst allegations of repeated legal violations by ICE agents and aims to protect community trust and public safety.
State Law and Community Trust
Governor Kotek emphasized that ICE agents have engaged in activities that disrupt communities and damage relationships between law enforcement and the public. She stated, “Oregon will follow state law and ensure we do not aid these unlawful immigration enforcement efforts.” The Oregon DMV had already stopped providing undercover plates to federal agencies on April 15, pending a review of its program to ensure compliance with state law.
The governor’s announcement follows a lawsuit from the Trump administration against Oregon and other states for refusing to issue these plates. The Oregon DMV’s review aims to ensure that state resources are not used to assist in federal immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. DMV Administrator Amy Joyce highlighted the legal risks involved, stating, “We need to follow state law and protect taxpayers from legal risk.”
Federal and State Cooperation
While the policy change affects ICE, it does not impact state or local law enforcement. Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service can still receive undercover plates, provided they do not primarily engage in immigration enforcement. The state’s vehicle code does not apply to federal vehicles, allowing them to use their own plates.
Norman Williams, a law professor at Willamette University, suggested that Oregon might be using its license plate program as leverage to negotiate federal cooperation on immigration enforcement tactics. He noted that federal and state governments have historically cooperated in law enforcement through negotiated agreements.
Constitutional Concerns
An unnamed spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security criticized Oregon’s policy as unconstitutional and expressed gratitude to the Justice Department for challenging the state’s actions. The Trump administration has claimed that undercover plates are necessary to protect federal officers from increased threats, though Oregon officials dispute this claim.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
