newsletter
We are all Oregonians.
We are all Oregonians.
PROTECTING IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE COMMUNITIES
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Last month, the Trump administration wrongfully invoked the 1789 Alien Enemies Act — and detained people in the U.S. and expelled them to severely inhumane prisons in El Salvador — in an aggressive attempt to undermine the rule of law and U.S. courts.
On Monday, the Supreme Court addressed a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked Trump’s abuse of the Alien Enemies Act. Although the high court lifted the lower court’s temporary restraining order, the Supreme Court was clear that detainees must be given time to challenge their detentions through U.S. courts and specified how and where detainees should make their legal challenges. Two days later, the ACLU filed another emergency lawsuit to block Trump’s unlawful weaponization of the Alien Enemies Act, consistent with the high court’s ruling.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal by the Trump administration and ruled that it must facilitate the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvadoran prisons despite a court order barring his removal.
As these recent developments show, the defensive work that we are engaged in for immigrant and refugee rights is vital to protecting our democracy and rule of law. Oregon For All continues to lead this important fight in Oregon and has released a new video reminding us that we are all Oregonians and we all call Oregon home.
HOW WE'RE FIGHTING BACK:
Report suspected ICE activity to the PIRC Hotline: 1-800-622-1510
Share the “Oregon is Home” video on social media.
PROTECTING OUR CLIMATE FUTURE
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Trump issued an executive order this week threatening states’ rights to tackle climate change, build affordable clean energy, and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable. Trump’s latest reckless EO threatens Oregon’s ability to meet our 100% clean electricity by 2040 law, putting our air quality and good-paying clean energy jobs at risk. It also jeopardizes our landmark Climate Protection Program, which aims to reduce Oregon’s pollution by 90% by 2050 and invest in clean energy and climate resilience for frontline communities.
In a statement to The Oregonian, Gov. Kotek pushed back on the EO: “Combating climate change requires collaboration and long-term work – not deregulating polluters. The science is clear. Climate change is real and our state programs are critical to protecting our environment for generations to come. I will continue to fight for the longstanding values of Oregonians.”
PROTECTING OREGON STUDENTS
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Gov. Tina Kotek and Charlene Williams, the Director of the Oregon Department of Education, are pushing back against a Trump administration directive to abandon education policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion. In a letter to the administration, Williams called the demands “duplicative, unnecessary and unduly burdensome” and said “[t]here is no circumstance where it is okay to leverage children’s resources as a political tool.”
Legal experts agree, according to The Oregonian. One law professor who has advised former presidents on education policy said: “... you cannot demand that someone else adopt your world view when your world view is not consistent with the law.”
Oregon is not alone in refusing to comply with the latest attack on our schools and students. Leaders in Washington, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota have taken a similar stance.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Thank you for being a part of the Protect Oregon coalition! To make this newsletter as impactful as possible, we want to hear what issues matter most to you and how you would like to get involved.
If you haven’t yet gotten the chance yet, please consider filling out this brief survey to help us learn more.
UPCOMING TOWN HALLS AND EVENTS
Want to make your voice heard? Show up to a town hall, rally, or event in your community where Oregonians will be gathering to speak out, push back, and build a better future for our families:
SEIU HANDS OFF MEDICAID RALLIES
In response to Trump and Congressional Republicans pushing a disastrous budget framework that could mean $880 billion in cuts to critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP over the next decade, SEIU is hosting #HandsOffMedicaid rallies across the state. The proposed cuts would threaten health care for the 1 in 3 Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan – that’s 1.4 million of us, including kids, veterans, new parents, seniors, rural Oregonians, and people with disabilities.
Show up to make your voice heard and urge Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-2) to vote NO on the final budget.
ATTORNEY GENERAL DAN RAYFIELD TOWN HALLS
Attorney General Dan Rayfield is hosting town halls to discuss safeguarding Oregon’s future.
Bend
Date: May 3
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: 500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend, OR 97702; OSU-Cascades Campus, Edward J. Ray Hall Atrium
OREGON LEGISLATURE WAYS AND MEANS ROADSHOW
With chaos at the federal level threatening the programs and services that working families rely on, it’s more important than ever that the Oregon Legislature passes a budget that protects our communities and invests in our future. Over the next month, Oregon’s budget writers will be touring the state to hear from local communities about their priorities. Sign up to make your voice heard!
Date: Today, April 11
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339, 1 University Blvd.
Date: Friday, April 16
Time: 5-7pm
Location: State Capitol, Hearing Room F
Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons, 7390 South 6th St.