Today, Mayor Keith Wilson addressed the Portland City Council via letter, highlighting concerns about the new federal administration's immigration enforcement plans. An estimated 108,000 individuals in Oregon could be targeted for deportation, creating fear and uncertainty in Portland's immigrant community.
Wilson emphasized Portland's commitment to its sanctuary city status, supported by Oregon's sanctuary state laws and the Sanctuary Promise Act of 2021. These laws protect undocumented residents by limiting local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The mayor called on city councilors to support the community by sharing resources, encouraging legal aid, and fostering understanding of immigrant rights. He urged collaboration with local organizations to protect undocumented families.
Despite potential federal consequences, Wilson reaffirmed Portland's dedication to standing with its immigrant residents and upholding the city's values of freedom from fear and sanctuary from federal overreach.
You can read the full letter below or at the following pdf link:
January 21, 2025
Portland City Council,
The incoming federal administration has created unknowns and uncertainty for all of Portland, but most of all for our undocumented and temporary immigration status neighbors. Plans have been drawn up to target families and disrupt the lives of millions to “carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” In Oregon alone, that effort may target an estimated 108,000 people or more.
Our undocumented and temporary immigration status neighbors have taken many paths to our community, and every family has a story. Many have been part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Temporary Protected Status, priority and skilled workers, and asylum programs, all legal programs that now face an uncertain future.
“Sanctuary States” including Oregon and like-minded California, Colorado, Illinois, and New York maintain laws and policies designed to keep undocumented families safe by slowing or stopping cooperation with overreaching federal immigration enforcement.
Many in Portland are now asking themselves questions about our role in the coming days. Oregon is a sanctuary state, which makes our city a sanctuary city in both law and spirit. State sanctuary laws have existed since 1987, but were recently strengthened by the Sanctuary Promise Act of 2021.
Under Oregon law, law enforcement cannot ask about immigration status or deny services based on that status. Public workers and law enforcement agencies are prohibited from participating in immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. Unless federal agents have a valid court order, they cannot demand local authorities detain or question individuals based on immigration status.
Our state and local leaders are committed to ensuring that no one is treated unfairly because of their immigration status. The Sanctuary Promise Act mandates that local law enforcement document any federal demands for immigration enforcement and ensures our state laws are followed. Suspected violations of this law can be reported to the Sanctuary Promise Hotline.
All public schools should be safe for all children, regardless of their immigration status. Oregon public schools are committed to protecting undocumented students and ensuring that school administrators, staff, and teachers will not cooperate with warrantless federal immigration enforcement. Under our laws, no Oregon student will be subjected to warrantless immigration enforcement on school grounds.
The new Federal administration has signaled that sanctuary states may face harsh consequences for this principled stance. Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi has signaled her intent to review federal law regarding any jurisdiction that refuses to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests. President Trump has demanded new laws from Congress that would impose harsh penalties on sanctuary cities and states, which may include withholding federal funds. Incoming “Border Czar” Tom Homan has gone further yet and threatened to jail the mayors of sanctuary cities.
As city councilors, I ask that you help me reach our constituents with support and resources. You can download the new Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit in English, Spanish, and five other languages and share it with neighborhoods and community associations. You can encourage donations and volunteers for immigrant legal aid services. You can help your friends and neighbors understand their rights. You can join hands with faith communities, like Augustana Lutheran Church, whose congregation has vowed to protect our undocumented community. Look everywhere in Portland and you will see caring people who stand with our undocumented and temporary immigration status neighbors.
News of mass deportation raids can be frightening, but we are a community that supports each other. Portland is rich in diversity, a value that includes immigrants and refugees who have only just arrived. We stand together in solidarity with our immigrant families. Their lives, families, and businesses are part of the fabric of our community and we must support them during these challenging times. We must come together to live our city’s shared values of freedom from fear and sanctuary from federal overreach in the days ahead, no matter what our city may face.
Respectfully,
Keith Wilson - Portland Mayor
If you believe your rights have been violated or that you or someone you know faces unjust immigration enforcement, Oregon provides a hotline and online resources. Please don't hesitate to report violations or reach out for support.
- Sanctuary Promise Hotline: Call 1-844-924-STAY (1-844-6-AMPARO) to report violations of Oregon's sanctuary laws. You can also report violations online at SanctuaryPromise.Oregon.gov or PromesaSantuario.Oregon.gov.
- Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) hotline: Call 1-888-622-1510 to report ICE activity in Oregon.
- United for Immigrant Justice hotline: Call 541-968-6534 to report ICE activity in Lane County.
- United We Dream hotline: Call 1-844-363-1423 or text 877877 to report ICE raids or abuse.
Oregon Law
ORS 181A.823
- Prohibits law enforcement agencies and public bodies from denying services to people based on their immigration status
- Prohibits law enforcement agencies and public bodies from collecting information about a person's immigration status unless required by law
ORS 180.805
- Prohibits public bodies from asking about a person's immigration status unless required by law
Sanctuary Promise Act
- Requires state and local law enforcement to document, report, and deny requests from federal agencies for immigration enforcement
Provides a hotline and online portal for reporting violations of sanctuary laws