A statement from the Multnomah County Commissioners:
President Trump’s latest threats to deport millions of people remind us that the need for service, justice, peace and love is as great today as it has ever been. Such rhetoric is designed to sow fear and political division in our country, without regard for the safety and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable families in our community. Policies like this make our communities less safe and less healthy by scaring people away from the public health and safety systems and the critical services they need.
Multnomah County has chosen to lead with fairness and compassion. In 2017, the Board of County Commissioners declared Multnomah County a Welcoming County and joined a national network of local governments and nonprofits that share best practices on serving immigrant and refugee residents. We provided immigration legal defense for people facing imminent deportation, as well as navigation services to connect families to the critical services they need. We continue to invest in this work today.
As President Trump continues to spread fear and political division in our communities, Multnomah County will remain steadfast in our core values. We welcome everyone and we are here to serve those in need in our community regardless of their immigration status.
Respectfully,
Chair Deborah Kafoury,
District 1 Commissioner Sharon Meieran, District 2 Commissioner Susheela Jayapal,
District 3 Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson and District 4 Commissioner Lori Stegmann
