The Oregon Senate approved SB 1560 by a vote of 24 to 1. State Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale) was the lone dissenting vote. This bill revises existing state law and directs state agencies to refer to individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States using “noncitizen” instead of “alien,” despite the fact that the term is used in federal law.

“Referring to immigrants and refugees as ‘aliens’ is an outdated, dehumanizing practice that stems from xenophobia and allows individuals to express bigotry without using overt racist language,” said Senator Kayse Jama, (D-Portland), “As a former refugee, who was once classified as an ‘alien,’ I am proud that Oregon Legislature considers updating its laws to reflect our values. I hope that more states follow.”

“When we hear words like, ‘you don’t belong here’ or ‘go back to where you are from,’ the word ‘alien’ aligns with those views,” said Senator Deb Patterson, (D-Salem), “My children, both people of color, and immigrants themselves, have heard those words. Some of you may have heard those words, too. I am certain that some of our constituents have.”

As the state faces a myriad of problems -- homelessness, labor shortages, COVID regulations and the corresponding damage to the economy -- Democrats seem determined to focus on race as the paramount issue of our day. Voters may disagree in November.

According to a press release put out by Senator Jama's office, SB 1560 does not make any substantive change to existing law and will not impact one’s eligibility for federal benefits or programs that are available to a person who meets the definition of “alien” under state or federal law. SB 1560 now moves to the Oregon House of Representatives for consideration.

According to the Legislative Fiscal Office, "while this individual measure has a “Minimal” fiscal impact, an agency may incur a net fiscal impact greater than minimal depending on the cumulative impact of all measures enacted into law that affect the agency."

Senator Jama represents Senate District 24, which is East Portland and North Clackamas and serves as the chair of the Senate Committee On Housing and Development, and the Legislature’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus. He was the first former refugee, Muslim, and Somali-American to serve in the Oregon State Senate. Before his appointment, Sen. Jama was a prominent community organizer and Executive Director of Unite Oregon.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-17 15:59:47

Last Update: 2022-02-17 18:16:25