Immigrant Justice Package Signing Remarks

April 9, 2026 

Thank you all for being here today. To IRCO for hosting us today, to the legislators who championed these bills, to the advocates who fought for them, and to the immigrant and refugee community members whose voices shaped this work - thank you. Today I am proud to sign eight bills into law that stand up for Oregon values, protect the rights of Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities, and make clear who we are as a state.

Our immigrant and refugee communities are Oregon communities, and I will always protect the safety and prosperity of every Oregonian.

No one should be afraid to go to work, take their child to school, seek medical care, or ask for help because of where they come from.

Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities are vibrant and diverse - composed of citizens, residents, and new arrivals. As the federal government wages unlawful and unnecessary attacks on our neighbors, threatening our values and our right to govern ourselves - I will not back down from this fight, and I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the leaders who brought these bills forward.

These eight bills represent meaningful action to protect people’s rights and dignity, building on our strong foundation as a sanctuary state:

● House Bill 4138 increases transparency in law enforcement activities by requiring officers to clearly identify themselves and limiting the use of masks.

●    Senate Bill 1594 ensures our state agencies have clear, consistent guidance when handling citizenship and immigration issues in response to federal actions.

●    House Bill 4111 bars the use of a person’s immigration status as evidence in civil cases and protects workers from employer retaliation over lawful work authorization updates. It also expands Oregon’s anti-profiling law to include immigration status.

●    House Bill 4114 creates a civil cause of action against individuals who enter certain property without a warrant or legal exception. Your home is your home - and you deserve to feel safe in it.

●    Senate Bill 1587 protects your data and who it is shared with. Oregonians’ personal information should never be weaponized against them by federal law enforcement.

●    Senate Bill 1570 requires hospitals to have policies and procedures to protect individuals who are seeking medical care from federal law enforcement. In their most vulnerable moments while seeking medical care, every Oregonian deserves to feel safe and protected.

●    Senate Bill 1538 guarantees that all students in Oregon have equal access to public education and ensures school districts admit all eligible students and program participants. Every child deserves an education - there are no exceptions.

● And House Bill 4079 directs school districts and governing boards of higher education institutions to adopt policies and be prepared for how they will protect students when federal immigration authorities come to campus. Our schools must be places of learning - not fear.

These bills protect real people living real lives in our communities. Immigrants are essential to our state. From healthcare, to agriculture, restaurants, small businesses, schools and universities, and infrastructure - immigrant workers are the backbone of industries that sustain our daily lives. And they are our neighbors, making our communities healthier and stronger.

But we must remain vigilant and keep up the fight.

In January, I signed an Executive Order (26-04) which established the Interagency Council for Immigrant and Refugee Coordination. Led by Jessica Ventura who is here today, this Council has been hard at work to make a comprehensive plan on how the state can best support Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities. Their work is ongoing and I’m going to continue listening to them and to the communities who are most impacted by federal overreach.

To the immigrant and refugee families watching today: We will keep fighting for you. Oregon is your home, and you deserve to live here without fear, to work with dignity, and to raise your families in safety.

To the advocates and organizers who made this happen: your work matters. Your persistence is working. Keep going.

And to those in Washington D.C. who think they can bully Oregon into abandoning our values and abandoning our neighbor: you are wrong. Oregon is not staying quiet. And we’re not backing down.

Thank you.