The Oregon House has passed legislation mandating public schools and universities to alert their communities when federal immigration authorities are present on campus. The bill, known as House Bill 4079, received approval on Tuesday with a vote of 35-22, with opposition from all Republican representatives and Democratic Rep. Tawna Sanchez of Portland.
This legislative move comes in the wake of a policy shift that rescinded protections against immigration enforcement in “sensitive areas,” which include schools and hospitals. Under the previous administration, these protections were in place to prevent federal agents from conducting enforcement actions in such locations. Recently, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association filed an emergency motion in a federal lawsuit aimed at halting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in these areas.
Under the new legislation, schools and public universities will be required to notify families, students, and staff as soon as possible when immigration agents enter their premises. The alerts will specify the location of the enforcement activity and whether it interfered with classroom operations. The bill is set to take effect in September and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald, a Democratic representative from Corvallis, highlighted the impact of immigration enforcement on student participation. She referenced the detention of an international student at Oregon State University in December, which caused widespread concern and fear among students. Some families near her district even chose to keep their children at home due to reports of nearby enforcement actions.
“We cannot improve our attendance rates, literacy rates or graduation rates if students are afraid to come to school,” McDonald stated. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that students feel safe and informed about their school environment.
Oregon law already requires school districts to provide electronic communications to parents in case of safety threats, such as lockdowns or evacuations. Recent incidents involving federal agents in Oregon have raised alarms, including the detention of an Iranian father outside a preschool in Beaverton and the arrest of a U.S. citizen during lunch hours.
In response to concerns about safety and the appropriateness of the bill, the Homeland Security Department argued that instances of immigration enforcement in schools are rare. The agency maintains that its agents require high-level approval to enter educational institutions, stating, “Criminals are no longer able to hide in America’s schools to avoid arrest.”
The bill has faced criticism from some lawmakers. Sanchez expressed her concerns based on her experience as a social worker, indicating that notifications might not be helpful for those who do not know how to respond to such alerts. “They may respond in a much more traumatic way of isolation,” she explained, suggesting that the legislation lacks provisions for individuals who might feel vulnerable.
Republican Rep. Darin Harbick from Rainbow criticized the bill for prioritizing political motives over safety. He noted discussions with ICE agents who claimed they do not target schools. Harbick and other opponents believe the bill unnecessarily complicates the relationship between educational institutions and federal immigration policy.
“There is no need to impose policies on rural school districts that they neither need nor want,” Harbick stated. He pointed out that similar policies have previously led to divisions among parents and disruptions within school boards.
Legislators made amendments to the original bill after receiving feedback about its implementation challenges. Provisions that would have required school staff to verify the credentials of immigration authorities were removed, addressing concerns about the potential pressure placed on school personnel, particularly those from minority backgrounds.
The disclosure requirements stipulated by the bill will not apply to personal student information or in cases where releasing information might threaten the safety of students or staff. Schools and universities will be required to outline their disclosure policies in student handbooks and on websites, ensuring accessibility in languages suited to their communities.
In addition to House Bill 4079, Oregon lawmakers are also considering Senate Bill 1538, which seeks to prevent school boards from denying admission to immigrant students lacking permanent legal status. This bill aligns Oregon with a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming that students may enroll in public schools regardless of their immigration status.
As these legislative measures progress, they underscore the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement and its implications for educational institutions across the state.
