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Committee hears bill to standardize agency responses to federal immigration data requests
Summary
SB 1594 would direct the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to create model policies for state agencies responding to federal requests for immigrant and refugee data, aiming to align procedures with Oregon's sanctuary laws and increase clarity for frontline workers.
SALEM — The Senate Judiciary Committee received an overview Tuesday of SB 1594, a bill that would require the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to create model administrative policies for state agencies facing federal requests for data about immigrants and refugees.
Sponsor Senator Casey Chama said the bill "does not alter any existing sanctuary laws" but would codify internal practices so state agencies follow a consistent playbook when federal agents request information. "For our community, consistency and clarity means safety," Chama said.
Omar Sandoval, chief of staff to Representative Ricky Ruiz, said the absence of a shared framework has eroded trust and that the bill would provide verification, documentation and privacy-protection guidance for frontline workers. On the executive-branch side, Jessica Neely, Chief Human Resources Officer, described a 2025 training rollout to implement Oregon's Sanctuary Promise Act and noted over 95% compliance across executive agencies with model policies and most agencies publishing those policies online.
Proponents said SB 1594 aims to reduce confusion for staff and fear in immigrant and refugee communities while avoiding changes to underlying sanctuary law. The hearing was informational; no committee vote occurred.
