Oregon Capitol fighting for immigrant
rights. | Photo from @lusyouth on Instagram
April 22, 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor
On April 9, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed eight bills surrounding the protection of Oregon residents in regard to immigration status and other related matters. These bills were brought into motion by Kotek and other Democratic representatives following the high surge of immigration arrests in 2025 and early 2026.
Kotek, along with others, emphasized these bills are urgently needed in order to protect Oregon residents, with representatives saying they want to fight for a safe state that advocates for all. Kotek further explained the bills fight back against federal immigration actions such as the deployment of the National Guard to Portland and federal agents launching operations in the Willamette Valley with directions to reach a quota of at least 80 people detained, often doing so without warrants and while wearing face-obscuring masks.
In February, Democratic representatives introduced a series of bills during the short legislative session, naming them the Immigrant Justice Package. Advocates and students rallied outside the Oregon Capitol in support, carrying signs reading things such as “protect Oregon immigrants” and leading chants.
“While weak leaders in D.C. use cruelty to feign strength and disregard both our constitutional rights and basic human decency, we had an obligation to use our power to stand with immigrant communities to strengthen civil rights and to prove that when we say we represent every single Oregonian, we mean it and we deliver,” said Rep. Will Chotzen.
The first of the bills, House Bill 4079, says that school district boards must have policies in place outlining how they will respond if a federal immigration agent enters school property or a school campus. Additionally, Senate Bill 1538 bans discrimination in education based on immigration or citizenship status.
House Bill 4111 bans the use of immigration status as evidence in civil cases and adds immigration status to existing anti-profiling laws in Oregon.
House Bill 4114 gives Oregon residents the right to sue federal law enforcement agents for violating constitutional rights by entering property without a warrant.
House Bill 4138 requires all enforcement agents to clearly identify themselves without the use of masks or face coverings unless medically permitted.
Senate Bill 1570 requires hospitals to outline policies and procedures for how they will respond to law enforcement authorities arriving.
Senate Bill 1587 bans public organizations from selling personal information to a data broker unless they guarantee it will not be used to enforce federal immigration laws.
Finally, Senate Bill 1594 directs the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to form policies to protect residents from federal immigration enforcement.
Outside of these eight bills, Kotek additionally signed House Bill 4123 March 31, which prevents landlords from releasing information surrounding the immigration status of their former tenants, applicants and current tenants without written consent or a court order. This bill takes effect June 5.
Kotek pushed back against federal forces, saying, “To those in Washington, D.C. who think they can bully Oregon into abandoning our values and abandoning our neighbors, you got it wrong. Oregon is not staying quiet and we are not backing down.”
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu
