County courthouses could be where President Trump’s immigration actions could clash with Oregon law. We don’t know what may happen. It looks like the two may not be moving headlong into conflict.

It is actually against Oregon law for state and local law enforcement or public agencies in Oregon to participate directly or indirectly in immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. And that is nearly a direct quote from the Oregon Department of Justice.

“We don’t get in the way, but we don’t assist,” Deschutes County Presiding Judge Wells Ashby said Tuesday.

The January interim directive from Immigration and Customs Enforcement specifies that ICE officers or agents may conduct civil immigration enforcement actions in or near courthouses “where such action is not precluded by laws imposed by the jurisdiction in which the civil immigration enforcement action will take place.” The interim directive also states “ICE officers and agents should generally avoid enforcement actions in or near courthouses.” It does go on to say, though, there are possible exceptions, which must be approved by a supervisor.

Oregon’s courthouses should be a place where Oregonians feel safe to visit to seek justice, no matter their citizenship status.