Recent changes in federal immigration enforcement have raised understandable concerns across our community. I want to be transparent about what our city can and cannot do, and how we can support one another during this uncertain time.
Understanding Oregon’s Sanctuary Law
Oregon’s sanctuary law, established in 1987 and strengthened over time, prohibits state and local law enforcement from using resources to detect or apprehend people whose only violation is being in the country without authorization. This means our police officers cannot:
- Stop, question, or arrest someone based solely on suspected immigration status.
- Inquire about immigration status during routine interactions.
- Provide personnel or resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.
- Honor immigration detainer requests without a judicial warrant
However, our officers must still cooperate with federal authorities in criminal investigations unrelated to immigration status. If federal immigration agents arrive with valid judicial warrants, we cannot interfere with their operations. Oregon law protects residents from local immigration enforcement, but cannot prevent federal agencies from conducting their own operations within our city.
What Our Police Will Continue Doing
Our officers remain focused on public safety for everyone. We want all residents to feel safe reporting crimes, seeking help, and engaging with local government regardless of immigration status. Fear should never prevent someone from calling 911 or accessing city services.
How Our Community Can Help
Your support matters enormously. Here’s what you can do:
- Educate yourself and others about legal rights. Attend “Know Your Rights” workshops offered by organizations like the ACLU, National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), and Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC). Share this information through faith communities, schools, and neighborhood groups.
- Create support networks. Organize community safety committees to document incidents, provide accompaniment to appointments, and offer emotional support. Establish emergency contact lists and family preparedness plans for those at risk.
- Support tangible needs. Contribute to legal defense funds, provide childcare for families dealing with enforcement actions, offer translation services, and help with basic necessities when families face sudden crises.
- Advocate persistently. Contact state and federal representatives. Your voice shapes policy at every level.
- Connect vulnerable neighbors with resources. Many people don’t know where to turn for help. Simply sharing contact information for legal aid organizations can make a critical difference.
A Call for Real Solutions
This situation underscores what we’ve known for decades: our immigration system is fundamentally broken. Families live in fear while businesses struggle with labor shortages and our economy depends on immigrant contributions.
We need true bipartisan immigration reform that secures our borders, provides earned pathways for those already contributing to our communities, addresses legitimate workforce needs, and treats everyone with dignity. Both parties must come together and actually solve this problem rather than using it as a political weapon election after election.
Our community’s character is tested not by whether we face challenges, but by how we respond to them. Let’s move forward with compassion, respect for the rule of law, and unwavering commitment to one another.
