(The Lion) — The Portland Public School board has approved a resolution to resist immigration law enforcement.
Resolution 7030 passed the PPS board by a 7-0 vote on Tuesday.
The resolution outlines the district’s goal of offering an “equitable education” in a “safe and inclusive environment where diversity is valued and celebrated.”
“Portland Public Schools student, staff, and families originate from many different countries outside the United States,” Resolution 7030 continues. “Federal and state law requires that all students be provided equal access to public education, regardless of their immigration status or that of their families or guardians.”
It also cites various Oregon laws that prohibit law enforcement from “using public resources for the purpose of detecting or apprehending individuals whose only violation is being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.”
In other words, law enforcement can’t use public information to apprehend illegal immigrants unless they’ve committed additional crimes.
Another Oregon law states, “student educational records are protected from use for immigration action.”
Therefore, PPS resolved to:
- Not disclose the immigration status of any PPS student unless compelled by local authorities
- “Protect” learning environments from immigration enforcement actions
- And “not provide information or assistance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)”
PPS officials made it clear in their comments they didn’t care about border laws as long as students felt “safe.”
“This resolution reflects our commitment to providing safe, inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive, regardless of their immigration status,” said Portland’s Chief of Schools Jon Franco.
School board member Gary Hollands even called it a “travesty” such a resolution might be debated.
“Protecting all of our kids should be a given; it should not even be necessary. Every child, regardless of immigration status, has a right to feel safe, respected and supported in our schools,” Hollands said at Tuesday’s meeting.
“Yet, here we are, forced to reaffirm basic humanity and protect students from the fear of enforcement agencies that have no place in our classrooms or schools.”
Portland isn’t the only city where officials are gearing up to resist President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in November his city would “protect undocumented individuals.”
Johnson also claimed that by strengthening border policies, Trump was somehow threatening black families.
Los Angeles Unified School District also has openly opposed Trump and declared itself an LGBTQ and immigrant sanctuary.
However, states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri support stronger borders, noting the safety risks and fiscal impacts of mass illegal immigration.
