Gov. Kotek accuses ICE of repeatedly engaging in “illegitimate activities” and spreading fear after directing Oregon DMV to stop issuing undercover license plates

Oregon – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has directed the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicles Service (DMV) to stop issuing undercover license plates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing concerns about compliance with state law and the impact of federal immigration enforcement activities on communities across the state.

In announcing the decision, Kotek said ICE agents have repeatedly engaged in actions that have damaged trust between law enforcement and the public.

“ICE agents have repeatedly engaged in illegitimate activities, causing unwarranted chaos, sowing fear, and damaging the relationship between law enforcement and our communities,” Kotek said. “Oregon will follow state law and ensure we do not aid these unlawful immigration enforcement efforts.”

The governor reiterated her position in a social media post, writing that ICE agents have “repeatedly engaged in illegitimate activities, causing unwarranted chaos, sowing fear and damaging the relationship between law enforcement and our communities.” Kotek’s post echoed the concerns outlined in her directive to the Oregon DMV and underscored her administration’s view that state resources should not be used to support immigration enforcement activities that conflict with Oregon law.

According to the governor’s office, Oregon’s sanctuary law prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies and public agencies from participating directly or indirectly in immigration enforcement activities without a judicial warrant. Officials said the law was enacted to ensure community members can report crimes and cooperate with law enforcement without fear of immigration consequences.

Under Oregon law, the DMV issues undercover license plates to eligible state, local, and federal agencies. State officials said approximately 45 federal agencies currently participate in the program, with about 1,260 undercover plates in circulation.

The Oregon DMV paused the issuance of new undercover plates to all federal agencies on April 15, 2026, while conducting a review of compliance with state law.

Following that review, and at the governor’s direction, the DMV will continue withholding new undercover plates from ICE while resuming issuance to federal agencies that do not primarily conduct immigration enforcement and are not violating Oregon law.

State officials emphasized that undercover plate access for Oregon state and local law enforcement agencies remains unchanged and has continued throughout the review process.

Oregon DMV Administrator Amy Joyce said the agency must follow state law and protect taxpayers from potential legal risks.

“We cannot expend state resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement,” Joyce said. “The prospect of litigation in this area is real. We need to follow state law and protect taxpayers from legal risk.”

Joyce added that the DMV will continue working with federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Marshals Service when doing so does not conflict with Oregon law.

Officials also noted that federal government vehicles typically use license plates identifying them as part of the federal fleet and said ending access to undercover plates for ICE would not expose individual agents, as vehicle registrations are not tied to specific personnel.

The decision marks Oregon’s latest action related to its long-standing sanctuary law and the state’s approach to federal immigration enforcement activities.