How Multnomah County is responding

From policies and programs to resolutions, ordinance and budget options, Multnomah County is working to help protect the rights, dignity and safety of community members.

Cómo está respondiendo el Condado de Multnomah

Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declares state of emergency

On Dec. 12, 2025, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared an emergency in response to ongoing impacts from federal immigration enforcement — providing increased flexibility and direction as the County continues to respond to harmful U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.

“Multnomah County is committed to using every tool at our disposal to support our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and this declaration strengthens our response to the cruel actions that are terrorizing families throughout Multnomah County,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “Our diversity is our strength, and we will never waiver from our commitment to serve every person who lives here with dignity.”

Multnomah County is home to a diverse and vibrant community of people representing many races, ethnicities, and nationalities, including immigrants and refugees from all over the world. More than 13% of Multnomah County residents were born outside the United States.  

Read more about the emergency declaration here.

Town hall and sanctuary policy updates

On Nov. 18, 2025, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners received a briefing on the County’s sanctuary status, recent sanctuary-related legislative actions by the City of Portland, and other local examples. The Board provided feedback to move forward with a similar approach, and staff are set to return with a clear set of actions in the form of a resolution and a budget modification to reallocate funds.

Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Shannon Singleton have scheduled a joint town hall next week to talk about Multnomah County’s effort to update its sanctuary policies and status. This event will be virtual, with staff presenting draft language for a resolution and budget allocation. They will take questions and comments from the public.

The full Board is then scheduled to consider a draft resolution and any budget adjustments during its regular meeting Thursday, Dec. 18, at 10:30 a.m. A draft ordinance is expected to follow in ‌early 2026.

Virtual town hall

Board of Commissioners meeting

  • When: Thursday, Dec. 18; sanctuary discussion scheduled for 10:30 a.m. (meeting starts at 9:30 a.m.)
  • Where: Multnomah County Boardroom, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
  • Live YouTube linkyoutube.com/multcoboard

Links to previous actions

Last reviewed December 10, 2025