
In light of recent movements by the new federal administration to tighten immigration enforcement, Mayor Keith Wilson of Portland took a firm stand to reassure the local immigrant community, drawing attention through a written correspondence presented to the Portland City Council. The sanctuary city's residents, around 108,000 undocumented individuals in Oregon, now potentially face the specter of deportation, and the untold stories behind those numbers, suspense, and fear trickle through neighborhoods, according to the City of Portland.
Mayor Wilson called upon the councilors to marshal city resources, advance the spread of legal aid, and enlighten the public on the rights of immigrants, stressing that these steps were necessary to provide tangible support and combat the dread suffusing Portland's diverse communities. He advocated for a strengthened partnership with local organizations, aiming to shield undocumented families from the tightening grip of federal immigration authorities, as stated in his letter to the city council.
Portland's allegiance to its sanctuary status is bolstered by Oregon's existing sanctuary state laws and the Sanctuary Promise Act of 2021. These acts explicitly limit how local law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities, creating a bulwark against federal overreach and symbolizing Portland's values.
Defiant in the face of potential federal penalties, Wilson underscored the city's resolve, declaring, as per the City of Portland, "Portland's dedication to standing with its immigrant residents and upholding the city's values of freedom from fear and sanctuary from federal overreach" will not waver.