Klamath County commissioners ask counsel to draft letter after 'sanctuary' jurisdiction listing; sheriff to be consulted

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners discussed Executive Order 14287 and a recent federal list of "sanctuary" jurisdictions and directed the county counsel to draft a letter to the federal administration clarifying the county’s position and offering cooperation.

A participant identified as Mark (role not specified in the transcript) told the board that the Department of Homeland Security had removed the list of jurisdictions from its site while the federal government works on updated guidance. Mark said the county is receiving mixed signals from state and federal authorities and that more clarity from federal agencies is needed before policy changes follow.

Several commissioners said the county should emphasize cooperation with federal agencies and avoid jeopardizing federal funding. One commissioner suggested the letter include results from the 2024 presidential election and language that the county is willing to cooperate with federal policies and agencies. Board members also sought to involve the sheriff: counsel was asked to consult with the sheriff's office and to try to get the sheriff to sign on to the letter if the sheriff agrees.

Board direction: counsel's office, in consultation with the sheriff's office, to prepare a draft letter for the board and to provide the draft next week. The sheriff had been invited to attend the meeting but did not participate; staff reported no response from the sheriff's office to the invitation.

The commissioners discussed that state law and state policy had limited local cooperation with immigration enforcement in some circumstances; board members framed the letter as a clarification of Klamath County's willingness to cooperate with federal agencies, particularly on criminal matters. The board took no ordinance or policy action in the meeting beyond directing staff to draft the letter.