Oregonians for Immigration Reform looks to repeal sanctuary laws

ASHLAND, Ore. -- The group "Oregonians for Immigration Reform" is collecting signatures to create a ballot measure for next year's election.

Immigration attorney Yaschar Sarparast said it's too early to know what exactly the language of that measure would be.

However, Sarparast said the general purpose is giving law enforcement the ability to ask residents to prove their immigration status at any time.

Current law does not allow local police to enforce federal immigration law.

"My gut feeling would say popularity-wise, overall Oregonians would not support such a ballot measure where you're essentially asking people to show their papers on a roadside stop for example," Sarparast said.

This is the same group that helped pass a measure in 2014 which prevents Oregonians without proof of residency from obtaining a driver's license.

Sarparast said if passed, this measure could pose a challenge for local law enforcement that are not trained in identifying immigration documents.