Sponsored by: Jason León , Democratic Party of Oregon Latino Caucus Chair Approved: 06/25/2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
WHEREAS State Law (ORS 181A.820) was passed in 1987, because local law enforcement personnel were racially profiling Latino U.S. citizens and conducting raids where they lived, worked and worshipped. This law prevents discrimination.
Whereas, IP22 WOULD ERODE COMMUNITY TRUST
Oregon state and local law enforcement officials are strong proponents of ensuring that immigrant enforcement remains the sole responsibility of the federal government, because they know from experience it makes our communities safer. When community members don’t trust state and local law enforcement, they won’t report crimes to the police or appear in court to testify.
WHEREAS, IP22 WOULD UPROOT OREGON FAMILIES
Immigrant families have been in Oregon for generations and are part of the fabric of our state. Repealing this law will give law enforcement license to profile citizens and aspiring citizens alike. We have read countless stories of Immigration and Custom Enforcement making mistakes by targeting Americans who “look like” immigrants. This approach is harmful to families, particularly with children, whose parents are swept up in illegal enforcement activities. Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, our friends and family, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their country of birth. And like other Americans, immigrants have a right to a fair trial and due process.
WHEREAS, IP22 WOULD HARM OREGON’S ECONOMY
Immigrants play a vital role in our state’s culture and economy, and they’ve made our communities stronger for generations. Immigrants are more likely than native born Oregonians to start businesses that are the backbone of our local economy. Agricultural and technology companies rely on immigrant employees to keep their businesses competitive and growing. Hiring and retaining employees is one of their greatest challenges. The agricultural sector has faced a labor shortage for years. Repealing Oregon’s inclusivity law would send a message to immigrants and their families that Oregon is not a welcoming state, worsen the labor shortage, and crush our economy.
WHEREAS, ARTICLE 2 – HEALTH, BASIC NEEDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS Plank 1 of the Democratic Party of Oregon 2016 Platform states: “We believe in the right of individuals to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of inherent characteristics, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, residency status, disability, or other identifying qualities.”
WHEREAS, ARTICLE 8 – JUSTICE, Plank 1 of the Democratic Party of Oregon 2016 Platform states: “We believe short-term public safety considerations should not override civil liberty protections and justice.”
WHEREAS, ARTICLE 9 – IMMIGRATION, Plank 4 of the Democratic Party of Oregon 2016 Platform states: “We believe deportation policies should be humane and flexible and allow for fair due process” and Plank 9 states: “We oppose laws which can be used for profiling, including those that mandate people carry their legal papers.”
WHEREAS, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON’S 2016 PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEM 13 reads: “Reform immigration policies to include a “path to citizenship.”
WHEREAS, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON’S 2016 PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEM 14 reads; Ensure that people in the United States get safe and secure access to education, social services, and health care regardless of immigration status. Recognize that requiring immigration documentation for these benefits creates a disenfranchised underclass that degrades our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. We oppose Initiative Petition 22, which would repeal our state’s 30-year-old inclusivity law (ORS 181A.820), which prohibits the use of state and local resources to enforce federal immigration law. Immigration is the sole responsibility of the federal government.
Section 2. We oppose Oregonians for Immigration Reform, an organization with deep ties to white nationalist groups, that is seeking to place Initiative Petition 22 on the November 2018 Oregon ballot.
Section 3. We oppose Republican State Representatives Mike Nearman, Sal Esquivel and other Republican elected officials whose support for Initiative Petition 22 serves to divide Oregonians and promote the hateful Trump agenda in our state.
