Hundreds of people say they plan to march Tuesday afternoon supporting an effort to designate Hillsboro as a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants.
The City Council plans to vote March 7 on the designation, but immigration advocates say they plan to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Shute Park for a rally before marching toward City Hall. Council members plan to fill a vacancy later in the evening before holding any discussion on the sanctuary designation later this month, officials say.
“We need to keep ongoing pressure for our cities, counties and state,” said Fransisco Lopez, political director of Voz Hispana Cambio Comunitario. The group is promoting the rally on Facebook, which shows more than 300 people plan to attend and another 1,100 are interested.
Hillsboro Police Lt. Michael Rouches said officers have worked with organizers and established a one-mile route for marchers. Rouches said officers will focus on keeping other streets clear and safe, including entrances to Tualaty Community Hospital emergency room.
Hillsboro’s discussion follows similar talks by Beaverton and Forest Grove councils. Beaverton council members voted unanimously last month to approve the designation while leaders in Forest Grove voted against a similar resolution.
Cities that designate themselves sanctuaries have opposed signed orders by President Donald Trump, that including asking local police agencies to cooperate with federal immigration agents and enforcement efforts or risk losing federal funds.
Gov. Kate Brown last week issued an executive order forbidding state employees from helping immigration officials. Leaders in Portland and Multnomah County have made similar declarations.
The Hillsboro City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday where members are expected to fill the vacancy created when councilman Steve Callaway was elected as mayor. On Feb. 21, the council plans to discuss the sanctuary city effort before a scheduled vote March 7.
In December, council members issued a joint statement in support of diversity.
“We recognize that some in our community, especially our communities of color, are fearful,” according to the statement. “These concerns about respect and understanding are not necessarily new, but they have impacted our people in recent days to the point that we feel compelled as a City Council to speak in one voice.
— Tony Hernandez
thernandez@oregonian.com
503-294-5928
@tonyhreports
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