Oregon Governor Signs 8 Immigration Justice Bills

New laws aim to protect immigrant and refugee communities from federal overreach

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:33pm by Ben Kaplan

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A serene, painterly scene of a lone figure walking down a city sidewalk, the buildings and streetscape rendered in muted, earthy tones with dramatic lighting and shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the challenges facing immigrant communities.Oregon's new immigrant justice laws aim to create a more welcoming and secure environment for the state's diverse communities.Portland Today

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek hosted a ceremonial bill signing on Thursday for eight major immigrant justice bills. The bills are designed to fight what Kotek described as unlawful federal overreach regarding immigration law, and address topics such as limiting use of face masks by law enforcement, ensuring state agencies have policies for handling immigration issues, and barring the use of immigration status as evidence in civil cases.

Why it matters

Oregon has a large and diverse immigrant and refugee population, and these new laws are intended to safeguard their rights and access to essential services like education and healthcare, regardless of immigration status. The bills also seek to increase transparency and accountability for law enforcement interactions with immigrant communities.

The details

The eight bills signed by Governor Kotek cover a range of measures to protect immigrant and refugee rights in Oregon. They include requiring school districts and hospitals to have policies in place for responding to federal immigration authorities, barring the use of immigration status as evidence in civil cases, prohibiting public agencies from sharing personal data with brokers who may use it for immigration enforcement, and increasing transparency around law enforcement activities.

  • The ceremonial bill signing took place on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • Governor Kotek created the Interagency Council for Immigrant and Refugee Coordination in January 2026 to develop a comprehensive support plan.

The players

Gov. Tina Kotek

The Governor of Oregon who hosted the bill signing ceremony and described the bills as fighting unlawful federal overreach on immigration.

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)

The organization in East Portland where the bill signing ceremony took place.

Rep. Willy Chotzen

One of the speakers at the bill signing event.

Rep. Lesley Muñoz

One of the speakers at the bill signing event.

Jessica Maravilla

The policy director of ACLU Oregon, who spoke at the event.

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What they’re saying

“Our immigrant and refugee communities are Oregon communities. And I will always protect their safety, and the safety of every person who lives in our state. No one should be afraid to go to work, take their child to school, seek medical care, or anything they need just because of where they have come from.”

— Gov. Tina Kotek

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Interagency Council for Immigrant and Refugee Coordination is working on a comprehensive plan for supporting Oregon's immigrant and refugee communities.

The takeaway

These new laws demonstrate Oregon's commitment to protecting the rights and wellbeing of its diverse immigrant and refugee populations, even in the face of perceived federal overreach on immigration issues. By ensuring access to education, healthcare, and other essential services regardless of status, the state is upholding its values of inclusion and community support.