Portland groups pushing back against President Trump's immigration plans
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Despite Oregon's sanctuary status, President Trump's new border czar is reportedly prepping for ICE raids.
With birthright citizenship under attack, Portland groups are mobilizing to protect those at risk. As state and federal officials push back on Trump's immigration policies, so too are independent groups and attorneys, ready to take on the fight.
For people like Andrea Gonzalez, this issue is personal.
Born in El Paso, raised in Mexico and schooled in Texas, Gonzalez joined Portland's Innovation Law Lab during Trump's first term. She says the need for support is skyrocketing.
"I think people come here to Oregon seeking asylum because they dream of what we all want which is to live safely and care for their families," she said.
Innovation Law Lab hosts workshops and clinics to highlight legal advocacy and community support, defending the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers:
"There's a big community of attorneys out there who want to help, but there's no public defender for example that's paid for by the government," said local immigration attorney Erick Widman.
Widman's journey into immigration law began after meeting his Hungarian wife in Budapest and helping her become a U.S. citizen. His firm now hosts similar events to highlight immigration resources and prep plans.
Widman says he wants to challenge racial biases, pointing out that many wrongly assume immigrants are people of color, fueling harmful rhetoric.
"We need to make sure there are not double standards," he said.
In a time of uncertainty, these advocates are working to provide reassurance, helping people understand their rights and stay informed if the situation intensifies.
"One of the best parts of being a lawyer is that you get to be a counselor and someone who's an advocate, you're also giving assurances backed up by reason and logic," Widman said.
Right now, Republican lawmakers in Oregon are pushing bills to roll back sanctuary laws, aiming to give local law enforcement more authority to report immigration statuses. But so far it appears there's not enough support to move those bills forward.
There is an Open House/Know Your Rights event hosted by Passage Immigration Law on Feb. 11 from 4-7 p.m.