Sanctuary State has new meaning after Senator Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton), co-sponsor, carried SB 1543 for the Senate floor vote that established the Universal Representation Fund. The fund is to provide a statewide, integrated, universal navigation and representation system for immigration matters.

“Unlike in criminal court, immigrants facing deportation and immigration court are not entitled to a lawyer. This will bring Oregonian residents before our immigration courts in equal treatment to those before criminal court systems by granting each person access to legal representation, regardless of their financial resources,” said Representative Teresa Alonso Leon (D-Woodburn), a co-chief sponsor of the bill whose family came to Oregon from San Jeronimo Purenchecuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

The Universal Representation Fund is a statewide program that will embed qualified community-based organizations to act as navigators that would guide Oregonians at risk of deportation into the program, supported by a statewide call center. Attorney fellows would be embedded at community-based organizations throughout the state, providing legal services to community members at culturally accessible locations including affirmative services such as DACA renewals, naturalization and legalization services.

“As a member of the Latinx community, I have seen the struggles and strain that deportation has placed on immigrant and refugee communities across the state,” said Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), a co-chief sponsor of the bill. “My personal history was at the forefront of my policy-making lens when I worked with several other legislators and organizations to bring this policy forward last session.”

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The budget allotted SB 1543 $10.5 million to the newly created Universal Representation Fund, and $4.5 million for the Oregon State Bar’s Legal Services Program to provide legal services to individuals on immigration matters. The State Bar program will work with Oregon’s immigration legal services providers and provide fiscal and regulatory oversight of legal services to individuals on immigration and related matters throughout the state.

This will not be a one-time allotment. This program is projected to be made permanent, increasing the state budget every biennium. It has the potential to explode. Neither SB 1543 nor the report behind the program limit the services to those residing in Oregon. “Individuals are ineligible if (a) earn more than 200% FPG, (b) have no connection with Oregon, (c) are eligible for service through other similar program (e.g., trafficking victims).” If all it takes is a lawyer to avoid deportation, it’s only fair to require assimilation and recognize that taxpayers are providing the legal services and other benefits.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-03-12 07:45:17

Last Update: 2022-03-12 07:50:29