Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum released a sanctuary "toolkit" to help undocumented migrants in the state protect themselves and know their rights ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's promised mass deportation operations, as Democratic states continue their actions aimed at "Trump-proofing" their territories.
Rosenblum's toolkit is written in English, Spanish and other languages like Arabic, Haitian Creole, Russian and Mandarin. It is set to be a tool for Oregon immigrants for likely increased federal immigration activity after Trump takes office in January. The toolkit, available online, includes brochures, posters and public service announcements.
"I recommend having conversations with family members in the next several weeks to know your rights, understand what protections Oregon's sanctuary laws provide and what they do not provide, and make a plan for what to do if immigration officials come to your home or place of business," Rosenblum said in a statement.
Oregon sanctuary laws restrict state and local government, including police agencies, from helping enforce federal immigration laws without a signed court order, according to OregonLive.com. Federal immigration agencies can still operate in Oregon, but state laws restrict state and local funding, facilities, equipment and personnel from assisting them without a court order.
The toolkit includes information on what sanctuary laws are, how to prepare your family for encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), how to report a suspected violation of Oregon's sanctuary laws and more. It also includes information on how to sign up for the Oregon Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit's community group training on the state's sanctuary laws and Sanctuary Promise Hotline.
Oregon became the country's first sanctuary state in 1987, restricting state and local governments from assisting federal immigration enforcement without a judge's order. Decades later, under the Trump administration, federal officials cracked down on immigrants without legal residency, including separating families.
That prompted state lawmakers in 2021, the year that Trump left office, to approve the Sanctuary Promise Act, which strengthened the state's sanctuary laws and defined what law enforcement activity is prohibited by local and state Oregon agencies. The law also established the country's first statewide hotline to report possible sanctuary violations, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported.
The new toolkit comes as Democratic-led states and cities have promised to "Trump-proof" their jurisdictions in efforts to curb the effects and promises of the incoming administration.
Most notably, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session of the state Legislature, which started earlier this month to discuss how they can protect the state's environment and immigration practices. Likewise, California Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office has been preparing for a second Trump term for months. Earlier this month, Bonta's office introduced a new "Know Your Rights" guidance for immigrant communities in efforts to inform and protect vulnerable populations.
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