Oregon Public Broadcasting

Columbia County officials are reviewing a newly-passed ballot measure. It's a ban on the hiring of illegal immigrants that requires the county to go beyond federal standards. April Baer reports.

The ballot measure created penalties for hiring undocumented immigrants.  A business could face anything from cash fines to the revocation of building permits.

The new law also specifies who's responsible for enforcing the law -- the county.

The board of commissioners is taking a cautious approach, and has initiated a procedure for review.

A circuit court will investigate whether the measure is legal.  That ruling might serve as a guide to how the county proceeds.

In the meantime, measure opponents are preparing.

Marcy Westerling:  "We don't want to see any part of this language become law. There's no part of it we feel is helpful to improving how we do business here in Columbia County."

Marcy Westerling is with the Rural Organizing Project, a group that campaigned against Measure 5-190. 

The sponsor of the measure couldn't be reached for comment.