Salem Mayor Says Governor's Office Never Asked Her to Sign Immigration Letter

Mayor Julie Hoy says she was not contacted by the governor's office about signing a letter demanding a pause in federal immigration enforcement in Oregon.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said the governor's office never asked her to sign a letter requesting the federal government temporarily pause immigration enforcement in Oregon. The letter, signed by 31 other mayors across the state, was sent to federal officials on February 5th. Hoy said if she had been contacted, she would have brought it to the full city council for discussion and consensus. Hoy's political opponent, Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, had criticized Hoy for not signing the letter and standing up for the city's immigrant community.

Why it matters

The letter from the governor's office was a high-profile political move that aligned with Salem's recent actions reaffirming its sanctuary city status and declaring a state of emergency over federal immigration enforcement. Hoy's decision not to sign the letter, if she was indeed not contacted, could become a campaign issue as she faces a challenger who has criticized her leadership on immigration issues.

The details

In a Facebook video, Hoy said the governor's office confirmed they never sent the letter to her office or the city of Salem. She said if she had received the request, she would have brought it to the full city council for discussion and consensus. Nordyke, who is running against Hoy for mayor, had publicly criticized Hoy for not signing the letter and standing up for Salem's immigrant community. City policy prohibits city leaders from making official statements contrary to the council's adopted policies, which recently reaffirmed Salem's sanctuary city status and declared a state of emergency over federal immigration enforcement.

  • On February 5, 2026, the governor's office sent a letter to federal officials demanding a pause in immigration enforcement.
  • On February 9, 2026, Mayor Hoy posted a Facebook video stating the governor's office never contacted her about signing the letter.

The players

Julie Hoy

The mayor of Salem, Oregon, who said the governor's office never asked her to sign a letter demanding a pause in federal immigration enforcement.

Vanessa Nordyke

A Salem city councilor who is challenging Hoy in the mayoral election and has criticized Hoy for not signing the governor's letter.

Tina Kotek

The governor of Oregon who sent a letter to federal officials demanding a pause in immigration enforcement, signed by 31 other mayors across the state.

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What they’re saying

“It was confirmed by the governor's office last night that that letter was never sent to the city of Salem, nor to my office. Had it been, I would have brought it to the attention of the full council, and we would have had the opportunity to weigh in, come to consensus, and move forward appropriately.”

— Julie Hoy, Mayor of Salem (Facebook)

“The people of Salem keep waiting for their mayor to stand up for them. Parents are afraid to take their children to school or go to the doctor's office. People are scared to go to work or the grocery store, let alone support our local businesses. We must stand up to federal overreach, for the safety of our communities and for our constitutional rights to govern.”

— Vanessa Nordyke, Salem City Councilor (Facebook)

What’s next

The city council will likely discuss the governor's letter and Hoy's response at an upcoming meeting.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the political tensions around immigration issues in Salem, with the mayor and her challenger taking different stances on the city's role in responding to federal immigration enforcement. It also raises questions about communication between the governor's office and local leaders on high-profile policy initiatives.