Portland, OR – At its October 15 meeting, the Portland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance put forth by Councilor Sameer Kanal and co-sponsors Council Vice President Tiffany Koyama Lane, Councilor Angelita Morillo, Councilor Candace Avalos, Councilor Steve Novick and Councilor Loretta Smith to enshrine Portland's "Sanctuary City" status in City Code. With this action, the Council takes a critical first step to protect Portlanders from the federal government's targeted attacks on our communities.
"This was possible not only because of the solidarity of my colleagues on Council, but also the overwhelming support from many great organizations that make Portland what it is and hundreds of community members who turned out in support of our democratic systems, civil rights and immigrant communities," said Councilor Kanal. "Tonight was the first step. We'll continue to stand up for immigrant and Latino Portlanders and for the First Amendment and ensure our laws reflect our values."
The ordinance:
- Prohibits all City employees from assisting any federal agency with immigration enforcement and prohibits City resources to be used for such purpose.
- Requires the creation of policies, trainings, and resources to guide how the City must handle interactions with immigration enforcement agents.
- Requires the posting of signage to clarify public/private spaces.
- Requires Portland Police Bureau to report any exceptions to or violations of the prohibition on assisting with immigration enforcement activities.
- Directs the Office of Government Relations to advocate for Congress to pass legislation that would increase federal safeguards for respecting the civil rights and protecting the public safety of our community.
Because the Council voted to pass Sanctuary City codification as an emergency ordinance, it takes effect immediately. Portland previously adopted a Sanctuary City resolution in 2017; however, that resolution is not binding law.
Sanctuary City status codification received the support of many organizations and community leaders, including: ACLU of Oregon, SEIU Oregon, Unite Oregon, Latino Network, Portland Association of Teachers, Coalition of Communities of Color, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Portland For All, LatinxPDX, City of Portland Professional Workers Union, LiUNA Local 483, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 82, Portland Federation of School Professionals Local 111, Musicians Union Local 99, the entire Portland Public Schools Board, every Multnomah County Commissioner, and State Representatives Andrea Valderrama and Willy Chotzen.
More than 60 community members shared testimony at the City Council meeting in support of the ordinance, and more than 140 submitted written testimony in support.
###