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Superintendent explains district approach to immigration enforcement, citing Oregon law and subpoenas
Summary
The superintendent told the board the district will refuse ICE administrative subpoenas but will comply with judicial subpoenas, following Oregon law.
Superintendent Ryan Carpenter told the board on Feb. 12 that Estacada School District will strictly follow Oregon law when federal immigration agents enter school buildings.
Carpenter explained there are two distinct documents ICE may present: an administrative subpoena issued by the agency and a judicial subpoena signed by a federal judge. He said Oregon law bars public school cooperation with administrative subpoenas, and the district will not comply with those requests. By contrast, Carpenter said, if ICE presents a judicial subpoena signed by a federal judge the district must comply.
Carpenter said the district has practiced response protocols and that the principal or vice principal on duty would be the initial school responder. He added that the school would immediately contact Jason Hobson, director of student services, and the district92s attorneys to ensure legal compliance.
Carpenter framed the policy as compliance with state law and emphasized the limits of local discretion: "We are simply here to strictly follow the law, and we will continue to do that," he told the board. He also acknowledged community disagreement over the law, and directed residents who want changes to contact state lawmakers in Salem.
Board members responded that Carpenter's summary matched their understanding and thanked him for clarifying the process for families and staff.
