In the first 100 days of his second term, Trump and his billionaire cronies have wreaked havoc and imposed a cruel and destructive agenda, targeting immigrant and refugee neighbors, teachers and students, the LGBTQ+ community, workers, small businesses, military service members and veterans, hospitals and healthcare workers, federal employees, scientists, and so many more. But in Oregon, we’re not backing down — we’re working together to protect this place we call home and the people we call family, friends, and neighbors.

PROTECTING SANCTUARY CITIES

WHAT'S HAPPENING: This week, Trump signed an executive order demanding that agencies identify and document sanctuary cities that are not complying with his administration’s cruel immigration policies. 

The Oregon legislature passed the nation’s first Sanctuary Law in 1987 with strong support from both Republicans and Democrats to protect Oregonians from being racially profiled, ensure immigrant families feel safe to report a crime, and seek help if they’ve been victimized. The Sanctuary Law keeps Oregon communities safer because it means local law enforcement is focused on protecting local communities instead of enforcing harmful federal immigration policies. Sanctuary laws ban local law enforcement and state agencies from participating in immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. This critical law, reaffirmed by voters on the ballot in 2018, is meant to uphold the dignity and rights of all Oregonians regardless of citizenship status.

This executive order marks yet another attempt by Trump to bully sanctuary cities and states into complying with his cruel and inhumane policies that threaten the safety of immigrant communities across Oregon. This attack is not new, and Trump’s prior attacks against sanctuary cities like Portland have failed. Just last week, a federal judge barred the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek were both quick to affirm our sanctuary law — and that Oregon is already in compliance with federal law. Kotek told OPB in a statement that Oregon “will not be bullied to deport people or perform immigration enforcement” and Wilson said “Portland stands unwavering in its commitment to sanctuary policies, rooted in the belief that every resident, including immigrants, deserves dignity, respect, and protection.”

HOW WE'RE FIGHTING BACK: 

• Report suspected ICE activity to the PIRC Hotline: 1-800-622-1510.

• Join the Oregon For All coalition to keep up to date on recent news and action to take to protect immigrants living in Oregon.

PROTECTING CLEAN AIR

WHAT'S HAPPENING: Right now, some states like California have higher vehicle emissions standards than currently required by the Clean Air Act, thanks to Clean Vehicle Waivers. These standards are meant to protect our climate and improve air quality, especially in highly populated states that would otherwise be a more significant contributor to air pollution. They’ve also generated billions in economic benefits and public health savings. 

But now, Republican members of Congress are overstepping their authority and coming after the rights of states to set their own environmental standards through the Congressional Review Act — despite the fact that the Government Accountability Office has ruled multiple times that EPA waivers under the Clean Air Act are not subject to the Congressional Review Act. 

This is yet another example of Congressional Republicans flouting the rule of law to push their unpopular, unproductive, and flat-out dangerous agenda.

HOW WE'RE FIGHTING BACK: 

• Contact your member of Congress to tell them to fight for clean air and Oregon's right to set our own emission standards.

PROTECTING ACCESS TO HEAD START 

WHAT'S HAPPENING: This week, Family Forward Oregon, parents, teachers, and advocacy groups from around the country filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s attempts to dismantle Head Start programs in Oregon and nationwide. Started by the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964, Head Start programs have provided critical services for more than 40 million children and their families. 

If federal funding is taken away, more than 800,000 children who rely on Head Start for early education, health, nutrition, and social services could be impacted, including 25,000 children in Oregon and Washington.

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:

ATTORNEY GENERAL DAN RAYFIELD TOWN HALLS

Attorney General Dan Rayfield is hosting town halls to discuss safeguarding Oregon’s future. The upcoming townhall in Bend will include Senator Anthony Broadman, Representative Jason Kropf, and Representative Emerson Levy. RSVP to attend the event here.

• Bend

  • Date: May 3

  • Time: 9:30 AM

  • Location: 500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend, OR 97702; OSU-Cascades Campus, Edward J. Ray Hall Atrium

HANDS OFF HIGHER EDUCATION

AFT-Oregon, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, and OCTPET are hosting a rally on May 8th to demand action to protect Oregon students. Find more information here.

• Salem

  • Date: Thursday, May 8

  • Time: 4:00 PM

  • Location: Oregon State Capitol State Park (meet at Court & Summer St NE)