PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Under a new ordinance, the City of Portland could provide legal defense for workers facing “retaliatory” federal charges.
On Thursday, Portland City Council unanimously approved a policy that makes way for the City Attorney’s Office to represent public employees accused of violating U.S. law by complying with local sanctuary policies. Leaders also added an “emergency” clause that allows the ordinance to immediately take effect — “because of the urgent need to have protections in place due to the posture of the federal government.”
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District 4 Councilor Eric Zimmerman, who introduced the policy in late February, noted the attorney’s office had not previously represented employees facing criminal charges.
Although that policy will remain for staff who have been considered as violating the law, with Zimmerman proving the example of a transportation bureau employee driving while intoxicated, legal defense will not be available to those facing charges as part of the federal government’s attempt to “intimidate” them amid an increase in U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement…