Category Marion & Polk County
U.S. asks court to enforce Marion County immigration subpoenas
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is asking a federal judge to order Marion County, and three other counties, to provide information about 10 men with criminal convictions to federal immigration authorities. Federal authorities claim the state’s sanctuary law is preventing them from locating and deporting immigrants convicted of violent crimes.
Marion County releases records at core of ICE lawsuit to Salem Reporter
Marion County officials released documents containing personal information about people on county parole in response to a public records request. The county has declined to release the same information to federal immigration authorities pending a lawsuit over Oregon’s sanctuary law.
Man sentenced to almost 6 years in prison for killing father in 2023 West Salem crash
David J. Nelson, 25, pleaded guilty to a homicide charge and driving intoxicated in a West Salem crash that killed his father in 2023. A Polk County judge sentenced him to nearly six years in state prison.
Salem city councilors support transportation bill while Marion County commissioners oppose it
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy sent a letter of support for a new $4.3 billion transportation bill to the Legislature’s transportation funding committee on behalf of the Salem City Council, saying increases in taxes and fees are needed to address rising road maintenance costs for Salem.
Top Marion County prosecutor announces district attorney run, DA Clarkson to retire
Marion County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy recently announced his campaign to run for the office’s top position, district attorney. Paige Clarkson, the county’s current district attorney, said she will retire and supports Murphy’s candidacy for the position.
Protesters accuse Marion County commissioners of trying to weaken sanctuary law through ICE lawsuit
Several dozen people packed a Marion County hearing room Wednesday to protest the county’s lawsuit seeking a court ruling on whether it can share information about people on parole with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Many people claimed the suit is a county effort to overturn Oregon’s sanctuary law, which restricts agencies from cooperating with immigration authorities.
Nearly all Oregon sheriffs support Marion County’s suit for clarity on ICE cooperation
All but two of Oregon’s 36 sheriffs support Marion County’s lawsuit to get clarity on whether it can provide information about people on county parole to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The lawsuit, filed in federal court last week, has drawn criticism from Democrats who see it as an effort to weaken the state’s sanctuary law.
Ethics commission finds Salem restaurant owner voted on contracts benefitting business in 2022
An owner of Adam’s Rib violated two Oregon ethics laws while serving as a volunteer on the Marion County Fair Board in 2022, according to an investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission that was settled this month.
Marion County asks federal judge to decide if it can share parolee information with ICE
Marion County officials say they need clarity on apparent conflicts between state and federal law to respond to Aug. 1 subpoenas from immigration authorities. The subpoenas sought information for four people on parole for crimes including kidnapping and rape.