Chair Deborah Kafoury, Commissioner Smith deliver remarks on Portland’s sanctuary resolution

March 22, 2017

Chair Deborah Kafoury and Commissioner Loretta Smith reaffirmed their support for immigrants and refugees before the Portland City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday declaring Portland a welcoming, sanctuary and inclusive city.

Earlier in March, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution declaring the county a welcoming county and took action to support immigration legal services by voting to provide $100,000 to nonprofits offering legal aid to immigrant residents concerned about their status or unclear of their rights in the midst of federal immigration policy change.

The county became one of the newest members of Welcoming America, a national network of local governments and nonprofits that shares best practices on serving immigrant and refugee residents.

Read full remarks as prepared for Chair Kafoury and Commissioner Smith.

Chair Deborah Kafoury remarks:

Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to come speak with you about this very important resolution. I’m Deborah Kafoury, your Multnomah County Chair.

Our nation’s political landscape is broken and more divided than ever. We’re seeing spikes in hate crimes, mothers and kids not showing up for their appointments, and families immersed in constant fear of what’s going to happen tomorrow -- or tonight while they try to sleep.

At Multnomah County, we’re seeing families declining energy assistance because they’re scared of what might happen if they write their name and address on a form. It’s truly heartbreaking.

Partner agencies have told us that six people seeking protection from domestic abuse this year have dropped applications for court-ordered protection out of fear of visiting the Multnomah County courthouse.

It’s imperative that local jurisdictions stand united with our immigrant and refugee communities and do our part to combat hate and wade through these uncertain times alongside our community members.

I’m proud to say that Multnomah County has unanimously passed two resolutions similar to the one before you today and has invested in both internal training and external culturally competent legal services.

We’re committed. And I know the leaders in this room are also dedicated to moving the dial on inequity and to standing up against racism and oppression.

We’ve seen that in your investments and your desire to work together to create an integrated approach to communication and response if something does happen in our community.

This is only the beginning.

We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow -- or over the next few years. But we do know what our values are here in Portland and in Multnomah County. That’s why I strongly encourage you all to approve this resolution that states loudly that you stand with community. You stand for justice.

Thank you.

Commissioner Loretta Smith remarks:

Mayor Wheeler, Council members: Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.

I am Commissioner Loretta Smith, and I proudly serve as the Commissioner for District 2 on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.

I want to start by thanking the Mayor and City Council for standing up for the rights and dignity of all Portlanders, regardless of immigration status.

Today is a day that makes me proud to live in the city of Portland and county of Multnomah.

Today we stand together against the Trump agenda -- an agenda driven by hate and fear.

Today the City of Portland joins Multnomah County to protect the most vulnerable among us against the very real threat posed by the Trump administration.

In fact, it wasn’t long after the fall election, that it became clear that the County needed to publicly reaffirm our own commitment to serving our entire community, regardless of status as an immigrant or refugee. That was the impetus for my seeking a resolution to affirm the County’s commitment.

It was just last December when Chair Kafoury and I co-sponsored the Sanctuary County resolution, which passed with a 5-0 vote.

As local governments, we are direct service providers -- that is, we are the safety-net governments. Our mission is to serve everyone based on need, not based on nation of origin or immigration status.

There is a rising tide of fear washing over our community, unleashed by federal policies designed to frighten and to intimidate those who live and work in the shadows of our society -- those who cannot, because of their immigration status, stand up for themselves.

In the face of the Trump administration using outrageous intimidation tactics -- placing municipalities across the country on “weekly watch lists” for declaring themselves safe places -- the City of Portland is standing up for what’s right.

I am shocked and I am outraged to hear members of our community are making arrangements for the well-being of their children in the event they are deported. Or stories of parents no longer doing simple things such as going to the grocery store all together -- that way one of the parents stays home with their children in case something happens to the other.

As local leaders we have a duty to stand up for the most vulnerable members of our community. It’s no longer just a slogan that “all politics are local.”

All residents should be able to access vital services without reservation or fear that they will be reported to immigration officials.

Homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, our courts, our libraries, and our medical facilities should be places of sanctuary -- safe places for healing.

We press on with our convictions -- and encourage the City of Portland to do the same -- with full knowledge that our actions run counter to the stated policies of the current administration in Washington, D.C.

We know there are some in positions of power who wish to punish localities that make principled stands in defense of their residents.

But we must not cower in the face of threats. We must never compromise our values for fear of reprisal.

Today the City of Portland will take one important step to ensure our friends and neighbors are safe here at home.

I commend this body for its leadership today. By declaring the City of Portland a Welcoming City, a Sanctuary City, and an Inclusive City, the City Council will affirm its place on the right side of history.

Thank you for bringing your voice to this fight. And thank you for this time before you today.