Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency last Friday in response to increased ICE enforcement actions, aiming to support immigrant and refugee communities. "Our diversity is our strength, and we will never waiver from our commitment to serve every person who lives here with dignity," Vega Pederson stated, as per KPTV.
The declaration reinforces Oregon’s sanctuary laws and expands access to essential resources such as food, housing, and mental health services for affected families and businesses. Following Multnomah County, cities like Salem, Portland, and Woodburn have made similar declarations to show support for sanctuary laws and oppose aggressive ICE strategies, as reported by Rogue Valley Times.
Over 13% of Multnomah County residents were born outside the United States, and recent ICE activity has caused fear around routine activities like working, going to school, or seeking medical care, leading to months of protests. The county issued an emergency declaration to ensure compliance with Oregon’s sanctuary laws and to "Direct county officers and employees to perform or facilitate emergency services," as mentioned by KPTV. The county chair has requested state assistance and asked Oregon’s Congressional delegation to address the issue through legislation that reflects local needs and community realities.
