In a symbolic show, the Portland City Council on Wednesday will declare Portland a "sanctuary city" for undocumented immigrants. The council will officially declare the city's unwillingness to help the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency find and deport immigrants.
In Oregon, it is already illegal for cities to use their resources to help enforce federal immigration laws.
The proposal comes about two and a half months after President Donald Trump pledged to limit funding to sanctuary cities and two and a half months after Mayor Ted Wheeler took office.
"The City of Portland will remain a welcoming, safe place for all people," Wheeler said in statement.
The declaration will affirm many of the actions Portland has already taken to support its immigrants and call for training to help city officials interact with federal immigration officials in ways that are appropriate and protective to immigrants.
Portland city code already prohibits denying benefits and discriminating against people based on race, religion, color, national origin, English proficiency, gender, age and disabilities.
In January, Portland Police Chief Mike Marshman told Portland Police Bureau employees that his officers would not enforce federal immigration laws, citing a state statute that exempts cities and states from spending their own resources to enforce federal immigration rules.
The City Council in February awarded $50,000 to a Portland-based nonprofit to help immigrants with legal challenges, including deportation.
If passed Wednesday, the new resolution will direct the Bureau of Human Resources, the Office of Equity and Human Rights and other city bureaus to develop a program to train staff. That training will teach them how to respond to federal immigration officials requesting information on city employees or Portland residents.
The resolution also will commit the city to working with regional, state and federal partners--including school districts--to help immigrant communities.
Wheeler emphasized in January that being a sanctuary city does not mean harboring criminals.
"I am proud to live in a city that is willing to take a stand to protect its residents regardless of immigration status by affirming our standing as a Sanctuary City," Commissioner Chloe Eudaly said in a statement. "We must act together with the county and state to build a wall of resistance around our neighbors to prevent Trump's deportation agenda from terrorizing communities and tearing apart families in Portland."
About 14,500 refugees have resettled in Oregon since 2002, according to the written proposal. Most refugees come to Oregon from Ukraine, Burma, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq and Somalia.
--Jessica Floum
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