The Salem City Council on Nov. 24 adopted an emergency declaration responding to recent federal immigration-enforcement activity, amending the draft to explicitly include asylum seekers, require quarterly reports to the council and direct staff to seek state, federal and philanthropic funding for legal and community supports.

The vote followed multiple hours of public testimony from hundreds of residents, students and advocates who urged the council to back the declaration with immediate cash assistance and concrete services. Community organizers repeatedly asked the council to "allocate $300,000" for legal support and emergency relief for families they said were being targeted by ICE. Many speakers said symbolic statements were insufficient without dedicated funding and outreach.

Supporters of the amended declaration said it creates actionable steps local government can take and opens paths to refer alleged federal misconduct to state prosecutors. Councilor Nordyke, who pressed colleagues to use the declaration as a tool for referrals and oversight, said during debate: "ICE is not above the law." Opponents said the resolution will not stop federal agents and worried it could increase federal activity; Councilor Matthews said the declaration "does not limit, prohibit, stop, reduce ICE," and said she would vote against it.

The council adopted the motion as amended. The amendments require the city manager to (1) add "asylum seekers" to the declaration's recital language, (2) require quarterly reports to the council on actions taken under the declaration, and (3) return with information about potential grant and philanthropic funding to support the outreach, trainings and services identified in the declaration. The final roll call on the main motion recorded Aye votes from Councilors Vang, Nordyke, Varney, Teigen, Nishioka and Brown; Councilors Matthews and Gwynn and Mayor Julie Hoy recorded Nay votes.

Community leaders and organizers said the outcome was a partial win but urged the council to move faster on resources. Latinos Unidos Siempre and other groups asked the city to convert promises into an emergency assistance fund for families facing detention and disrupted incomes. City staff told the council they have no dedicated fund currently and that any local investment would need to come from the general fund or be funded via external grants.

Next steps: staff will return with an analysis of possible funding sources and with a plan to implement the action items in the declaration, including community outreach, legal-assistance partnerships and "know your rights" trainings. The council's quarterly reporting requirement is intended to keep elected officials informed about implementation and any additional resource requests.