Faith Community Urges Governor Kulongoski to Rescind Harmful Executive Order

November 16, 2007

Today, members of the Oregon Faith Community from Marion and Polk Counties met in Salem at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for an ecumenical service and press conference in response to the plight of immigrants.

The faith service and press conference came following a meeting that immigrant rights advocates and growers had with Governor Kulongoski’s staff over the Governor’s proposed executive order that would deny driver’s licenses to immigrants. Under the Governor's executive order that he signed today, DMV would limit the documents accepted to get a driver's license, eliminating those commonly available to immigrants such as the Matricula card and foreign birth certificates.

While the Governor's executive order proposes to prevent fraud, denying drivers licenses will have a disastrous effect on public safety, while fueling the production and sale of falsified documents.

During the press conference, Faith Leaders issued a call to action that included more ESL classes, legal aid for immigrants and comprehensive immigration reform. They further urged Governor Kulongoski to rescind his harmful executive order.

Additional Resources:

Letter from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Letter from Oregon Association of Nurseries

Facts on Governor Kulongoski's Executive Order
Signed Executive Order 07-22
Fact Sheet in English
Fact Sheet in Espanol

Podcast
Audio of Press Conference

Posted in: Comprehensive Immigration Reform,Drivers Licenses,immigrants,Immigration,Immigration Raids,Oregon,Oregon Faith Community,Podcast