PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County has joined cities across Oregon in declaring a state of emergency due to the increasing impacts of immigration enforcement, officials announced Friday.
According to the county, this was spurred by actions of racial profiling and discrimination, causing “widespread fear” among immigrant and mixed-status residents.
They note this fear has led to a decline in the workforce due to some refusing to leave their homes to attend work, school, medical appointments, etc.
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The county says the emergency declaration will do the following:
- Ensure County agencies continue to comply with Oregon’s sanctuary laws
- Direct County officials and employees to perform or facilitate emergency services
- Grant permission to suspend purchasing rules to quickly get resources into the community
- Request emergency assistance from the State of Oregon such as:
- Financial relief for affected families and small businesses
- Access to food, housing and mental health services
- Support for service providers
- Call on the state government and congressional delegation to prioritize immigration reform aligning with “humanitarian values and community realities.”
“Multnomah County is committed to using every tool at our disposal to support our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and this declaration strengthens our response to the cruel actions that are terrorizing families throughout Multnomah County,” County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said. “Our diversity is our strength, and we will never waiver from our commitment to serve every person who lives here with dignity.”
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County officials add they will work in coordination with the cities of Salem, Woodburn and Hillsboro, as well as Washington County, who have already announced their own emergency declarations…