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Klamath County directs council to send DHS letter after sanctuary designation alert
Summary
Board directed the county counsel's office to reformat a previously drafted letter and send it directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, pushing back on a listing that identified the county as a "sanctuary" jurisdiction; commissioners also agreed to notify the sheriff and National Association of Counties as appropriate.
Klamath County commissioners directed the county counsel's office to reformat a drafted letter and send it directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to challenge a designation that placed the county on a list of "sanctuary" jurisdictions, and agreed to coordinate with the sheriff's office and the National Association of Counties.
The discussion, introduced by a commissioner who moved the agenda item to accommodate the sheriff's schedule, referenced Executive Order 14287 and a letter apparently signed by the sheriff and submitted for NACO (National Association of Counties) advocacy. Commissioners expressed concern the county was included on a list without clear criteria and agreed the matter warranted direct communication with DHS to protect federal funding streams.
One commissioner summarized the board's position: "Klamath County has never designated itself a sanctuary body," and asked counsel to prepare a letter making that point and seeking clarification of the criteria used to compile the list. Commissioners directed counsel's office to prepare the letter for the board's review and to arrange for the sheriff to sign the revised version.
Board members also discussed sharing the letter with federal advocacy organizations; some suggested CCing the National Association of Counties and asked that the sheriff's office be kept informed of the routing. Counsel reported no additional materials were needed to draft and send the letter.
The board's direction was taken by consensus; no formal recorded vote was requested in the transcript.
