Oregon Public Broadcasting

A Columbia County judge has ruled that an initiative banning the hiring of illegal immigrants cannot be enforced at the county level.  April Baer reports.

Judge Ted Grove says  Initiative 5-190 formed an illegal bypass around federal and state law.

A local contractor wrote and campaigned for the initiative, taking inspiration from  an Arizona state law.  But attorney Michael Dale with the Northwest Workers' Justice Project, says that inspiration was also the tripwire that brought I 5-190 down.

Michael Dale: "The Arizona law was based on Arizona statutes and Arizona's legal system, and the pieces didn't fit."

The initiative would have given county commissioners the power to impose fines or revoke business licenses of any employer found in violation.

Judge Grove determined  those powers are beyond the commissioners' authority.  

Grove wrote that he's aware of the public's frustration, but says the court cannot consider that when deciding I 5-190's validity.

Chief Petitioner Wayne Mayo could not be reached for comment. Since he was not party to the suit challenging the decision, the county says he has no standing to appeal.

The commissioners were also unavailable.