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OREGON SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
PRESS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 5, 2026
Contact: Ashley Kuenzi, Communications Director
Ashley.Kuenzi@oregonlegislature.gov
Senate Democrats Reject Proposal Requiring Coordination with Federal Authorities to Remove Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Felonies with Victims
SALEM, Ore. – A simple proposal that would have allowed state law enforcement and the Oregon Department of Corrections to coordinate with federal immigration authorities when an illegal immigrant is convicted of a felony crime involving a named victim was rejected today by every Senate Democrat.
The Republican minority report to House Bill 4111 was intentionally written to be even narrower than a proposal rejected by Senate Democrats last week. It would have left House Bill 4111 fully intact but added a straightforward public safety provision allowing federal authorities to determine whether to take custody of individuals convicted of felony crimes for which a victim was specifically named in the indictment after their sentences are served, rather than releasing them back into Oregon communities.
“This proposal applied only to convicted felons who have a named victim, meaning an Oregonian suffered a felony crime. Are we really saying we’d rather release these individuals into our communities instead of allowing federal authorities to take action? That makes no sense,” said Senator Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who carried the Minority Report on the Senate floor.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 5, 2026
Contact: Ashley Kuenzi, Communications Director
Ashley.Kuenzi@oregonlegislature.gov
Senate Democrats Reject Another Narrow Proposal Allowing Coordination with Federal Authorities to Remove Noncitizens with the Most Serious Criminal Offenses
SALEM, Ore. – Every Senate Democrat today rejected another commonsense proposal that would have allowed the Oregon Department of Corrections to coordinate with federal immigration authorities in cases involving noncitizens convicted of Measure 11 felony crimes including aggravated murder, felony sexual offenses, and felonies involving actual or threatened physical injury to a victim. It would have simply allowed federal authorities to determine whether to take custody after sentences are served or release them back into Oregon communities.
The measure was crafted to be even narrower than previous Republican proposals rejected last week and earlier today.
“All we were asking is that Oregon’s DOC be allowed to coordinate with federal authorities when noncitizens are convicted of violent felonies in Oregon—the most heinous felonies. That’s something I believe Oregonians would have appreciated from their Legislature,” said Senator Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who carried the Minority Report on the Senate floor. “The third time we’ve asked, and Democrats still said no.”
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Yours Truly,
 Senator David Brock Smith
Together, We Will Build a Better Oregon
 Senate District 1
Curry, Coos, and Douglas Counties
Southwest Oregon’s Fish, Farm, and Forestry District.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1701
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-316, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.DavidBrockSmith@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithd
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