Eugene HRC to draft supportive testimony on immigration enforcement activity
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Summary
Following police and staff reports about immigration-related incidents and national developments, commissioners formed an ad hoc committee to draft supportive testimony for city council and to identify resources for residents affected by immigration enforcement.
Commissioners discussed recent immigration-enforcement activity and signaled support for drafting a statement or recommendations to city council.
Staff explained that the mayor and some councilors have expressed interest in a city-level response to immigration enforcement and that the city’s public materials and staff resources on immigrant support are posted on the city website. Commissioners debated whether the HRC should draft a supportive piece and how to coordinate with council. Chair Dr. Silky Booker asked for volunteers; Commissioners Bana and Murphy and the chair agreed to form a drafting committee to prepare testimony that the full commission would vote to forward to council.
Staff cautioned that the commission must follow public meeting rules when drafting language (work must be handled by a committee to avoid an unlawful quorum in email exchanges). The committee will draft text, present it to the full commission for discussion and vote, and then, if approved, forward the recommendation to city council.
Commissioners also asked staff to compile and share the state and city resource links for residents on immigration enforcement and to consider including those materials in public outreach at events such as marches or City-sponsored activities.
What’s next: The ad hoc committee will schedule drafting meetings with staff, produce recommended testimony, and return the draft for commission consideration at an upcoming meeting.
