Multnomah County strengthens sanctuary protections and approves $250,000 emergency aid for immigrants

Multnomah County's Board of Commissioners on Dec. 18 unanimously adopted a resolution to reaffirm and strengthen the county's sanctuary status and approved a $250,000 budget modification to deliver fast support to immigrant and refugee residents affected by federal immigration enforcement.

The resolution, introduced by Chair Vega Peterson and co-led by Commissioner Shane Singleton's office, declares a state of emergency the board announced Dec. 12 and directs county staff to sustain an emergency operations center, pursue contract flexibility with providers, and return with a draft ordinance and a CFO/COO report by late February or early March to finalize implementation steps. "We will sustain an emergency operation center to coordinate our response," the chair told the board while framing the action as a response to what staff and residents described as escalated federal enforcement.

Why it matters: Speakers at a Dec. 17 town hall and at today's meeting told the board that increased enforcement activity has generated fear that keeps people from accessing health care, school and benefits. In response, the board directed staff to clarify internal policies, expand public signage and training, and restrict county assistance to federal immigration enforcement consistent with legal limits.

What the board approved: The budget modification (R3) provides $250,000 in one-time general fund contingency dollars: $175,000 is earmarked for existing contracted providers to deliver client assistance and immigration legal services quickly, and $75,000 is set aside as a mini-grant pool (roughly $5,000—$10,000 awards) for culturally specific organizations that do not yet have county contracts. Staff said the $175,000 would start moving to contractors with "expedient" distribution no later than early 2026; the $75,000 program will be launched in 2026 with a simple application process posted on the county website.

Community response and oversight: Dozens of community leaders, service providers and elected officials testified in support. State Rep. Lamar Wise urged clarity, visible signage and public reporting; Portland City Council President Elena Pertelgini and other city officials offered partnership. Service providers described surges in calls and requests for legal help, with one legal aid representative saying the office fields "over 100 calls every single day." Multiple speakers pressed the board to make the funding flexible and to codify protections in county code rather than rely solely on verbal assurances.

Next steps: Staff said they will return with a draft ordinance by Feb. 25 addressing the use of county funds, restricted access areas, custody/containment-hold protocols, data-use rules and routine sanctuary-status training. County administration (COO and CFO) will report back on contract flexibility and implementation steps. The resolution and the funding action were adopted unanimously; the board directed staff to post application details and to coordinate outreach with trusted community partners.

Quote: "This work cannot be delayed any further," State Rep. Lamar Wise said in testimony. "Clarity matters... Signage, consistent messaging, and employee training are frontline tools that communicate safety and dignity."

Ending: The resolution formalizes an emergency response and a timeline for ordinance development; the county will monitor implementation and return to the board with detailed policy options and fiscal reports in the coming months.