PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland leaders are considering covering legal representation for city workers who face penalties due to complying with state and local immigration law while performing their regular duties.
On Monday afternoon, Portland City Council’s Finance Committee advanced a policy to defend or provide attorney fees for employees involved in “certain criminal or civil proceedings” — namely those stemming from the federal level.
The proposal from District 4 Councilor and Finance Committee Chair Eric Zimmerman notes that both Portland and the state of Oregon are sanctuary jurisdictions, meaning their employees are restricted from assisting with federal immigration enforcement actions. But the chief sponsor, who referred to the ordinance as “one of the more strange and uncomfortable” policies on the table, argued the sanctuary statuses have not stopped threats from U.S. leaders…