Oregonians for Immigration Reform, an organization with deep ties to white nationalist groups, is moving forward with Initiative Petition 22, which would repeal our state’s 30-year-old inclusivity law (ORS 181A.820) prohibiting the use of state and local resources to enforce federal immigration law.
This state law was passed in 1987, because local law enforcement personnel were racially profiling U.S. citizens and conducting raids where they lived, worked and worshipped. ORS 181A.820 prohibits this kind of discrimination. Rolling back laws like this would be a huge setback for our state - and goes against the values and mission of the Fair Shot for ALL coalition. We’ve spent the last few years fighting against exclusion and discrimination in Oregon and we won’t stand by while those victories are attacked and the rights of our neighbors are eroded.
We’ve heard from officials throughout the state that they do not want to spend precious resources to enforce Trump’s questionable policies, and that immigration enforcement remains the sole responsibility of the federal government.
Help us Defend Oregon’s values and sign our pledge to keep Oregon a welcoming state.
IP 22 is bad for Oregon, so all of us need to make sure Oregonians vote no. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
It would undermine community trust. Oregon state and local law enforcement officials are strong proponents of ensuring that immigration 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.
It would harm 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. 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.
It would decimate Oregon’s economy. Immigrants play a vital role in our state’s culture and economy, and they’ve made our communities stronger for generations. We know immigrants are also more likely than native-born Oregonians to start small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy. Many sectors rely on immigrant employees to keep their businesses competitive and growing, including agriculture and technology. Repealing this law would send a message to that Oregon is not a welcoming state, only worsening our labor shortage and crushing our economy.
Join our movement to keep Oregon a state where all of us are treated with dignity and respect. Keeping Oregon strong. Sign our pledge.
