PORTLAND, Ore. — Gov. Tina Kotek pushed back against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in a letter Tuesday, defending Oregon's sanctuary laws and rejecting Bondi's claim that the state "thwarts" federal immigration enforcement.

The letter came after Bondi last week threatened legal action against Oregon and other sanctuary states and cities if they did not commit by Tuesday to repealing laws that "impede federal immigration enforcement." She warned of potential investigations, civil or criminal lawsuits, and cuts to federal contracts or funding if states refused to comply.

In her response to Bondi, Kotek disputed claims that the state of Oregon, public officials and its law enforcement officers have obstructed immigration enforcement efforts. She cited the state's nearly 40-year-old s

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