Oregonians Rally against Rules Denying Licenses to Immigrants

Over 3000 Oregon Residents gathered at the State Capitol during a legislative hearing in Salem today to protest new rules that will deny licenses to undocumented immigrants. With hundreds on the steps of the Capitol, three rooms were filled to capacity with people watching the hearing on closed circuit TV.

The hearing was conducted by the Oregon State Senate and House interim Transportation Committees to discuss the proposed legal presence requirement to Oregon driver's licenses set to be put in place next month. The vast majority testifying at the hearing today were opposed to the new rules.

The new license restrictions comes from an executive order Governor Kulongoski signed in November allowing the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles to limit documents accepted from immigrants. Currently under Oregon law, all residents of Oregon, regardless of legal status, can obtain a driver's license.

Among the testimonies, concerns were raised about the threat to public safety and security if licenses are denied to immigrants. While others discussed consequences to Oregon’s economy if immigrants can’t drive to work, and how families will be affected when the restrictions are put in place in February.

This afternoon’s hearing is the first of several scheduled leading up to the implementation date of the Governor’s new ID plan. The next hearing is scheduled for the 22nd of January.

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Oregonians Urge Delay of New Driver’s License Rules

MEDIA ADVISORY
December 31, 2007

Contact:
Ramon Ramirez, President, PCUN 503-989-0073
Erik Sorensen, Communications, CAUSA 503-789-8213

Oregonians Urge Delay of New Driver’s License Rules

Coalition to Hold Press Conference urging DMV to delay implementation of new rules restricting diver's license access

What: Press Conference announcing petitions calling for a delay in implementation of new drivers license rules

When: Monday, December 31, 2007 at 11:00 A.M.

Where: Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles Headquarters, 1905 Lana Avenue NE, Salem, Oregon 97301

Today the Oregon Coalition for Public Safety, an ad-hoc group made up of 25 organizations, will hold a press conference in front of the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Headquarters in Salem. Members of the Latino Community and leaders will present DMV officials with over 3000 petitions signed by Oregonians concerned with the implementation of new administrative rules, as set forth by Executive Order 07-22.

Under the Executive Order's provisions announced by Governor Kulongoski last month, the Oregon DMV will limit the documents accepted to get a driver's license, eliminating documents commonly available to immigrants such as the Matricula card and foreign birth certificates. Presently under Oregon law, all residents of Oregon, regardless of legal status, can obtain a driver's license, an important public safety policy.

There are over 120,000 undocumented immigrants in Oregon, many of whom drive on Oregon's roads to get to work, buy groceries, and take their kids to school. Under the Governor’s new rules, these drivers would not be allow to take drivers classes or pass driving tests, will not be able to get insurance, and will be more likely to be involved in a potentially fatal accident.

Since the release of the Governor's executive order, community leaders and organizations from around Oregon have been raising awarness about the potential danger to public safety. Among their concerns is the probability that immigrants affected by the new rules may be still unaware of the changes. During today’s press conference, the coalition will be calling on officials with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles and Oregon Department of Transportation to delay implementation of Executive Order 07-22 until adequate outreach has been made to inform the most affected population.

The press conference will begin at 11:00 am. For more information on this event, please call Ramon Ramirez, President of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United) at 503-989-0073.

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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

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Farm Workers Union and Oregon Nursery Trade Group Jointly Condemn Governor’s Anti-Immigration Order

Today, the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) and Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United (PCUN) issued a strong response in opposition to Governor Kulongoski’s executive order that would dramatically restrict license requirements for the state’s agricultural workforce.

“Creating a national, universal identification system through the driver’s license program is fundamentally flawed,” said John Aguirre, Executive Director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. “The governor’s order creates more problems than it solves. We have to make sure our work force can get to work.”

One major concern is the new requirement for DMV to verify social security numbers for every person who applies for or renews a license. The current online verification system is so flawed that the state of Illinois banned all businesses from utilizing the system to conduct I-9 checks for new employees.

During a morning briefing with the governor’s staff today, the OAN and PCUN issued a challenge to the governor and legislative leaders to work alongside them to pass comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the needs of labor-intensive businesses that depend on foreign workers.

“Our growers share major concerns around the availability of labor. It is essential that this governor demonstrate leadership in securing a legal, willing workforce for these businesses that are essential to Oregon’s economy,” said Aguirre.

“The executive order signed today endangers the public safety of all Oregonians and jeopardizes the economic viability of Oregon’s agriculture community” Ramon Ramirez, President of PCUN. “If Congress had acted responsibly and passed comprehensive immigration reform, this policy would not have the negative impact it does today on the health and vitality of Oregon’s farm worker community.”

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The Oregon Association of Nurseries, based in Wilsonville, represents more than 1,600wholesale growers, retailers, landscapers and suppliers. Oregon's ornamental horticulture industry is the state's largest agricultural commodity, with annual sales of more than $1 billion. For information visit our web site at www.oan.org or call 503-682-5089.

Contact Info:

Elizabeth Peters
OAN Director of Communications
503-250-2235
epeters@oan.org

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Immigrant Rights Groups Denounce Governor Kulongoski’s Executive Order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2007

Contact:
Erik Sorensen, Communications, CAUSA (503) 789-8213
Aeryca Steinbauer, Coordinator, CAUSA (503) 984-6816

Immigrant Rights Groups Denounce Governor Kulongoski’s Executive Order

Immigrants and allies urge Governor to abandon Executive Order that will harm public safety and erode community trust
Salem, OR— CAUSA, Oregon’s statewide immigrant rights coalition, denounces Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Executive Order #07-22 that would bar Oregon's undocumented immigrants from accessing a driver's license. Under the Governor's proposed order that he plans to issue today, DMV would limit the documents accepted to get a driver's license, eliminating documents commonly available to immigrants such as the Matricula card and foreign birth certificates. Presently under Oregon law, all residents of Oregon regardless of legal status can obtain a driver's license, an important public safety policy.

Currently, there are over 120,000 undocumented immigrants in Oregon, many of whom drive on Oregon's roads to get to work, buy groceries, and take their kids to school. As a result of the Governor’s proposed executive order, these drivers would not be allow to take drivers classes or pass driving tests, will not be able to get insurance, and will be more likely to be involved in a potentially fatal accident. Studies show that licensing drivers prevents accidents and insurance losses as drivers are tested, registered and photographed. Likewise, licensing and law enforcement agencies are better able to track unsafe drivers.

Restricting driver's license access also erodes community trust. Rather than increasing security, driver's license restrictions would result in a situation where immigrants fear discrimination and being reported to ICE. They therefore would avoid contact with law enforcement and are less likely to report crimes and assist local law enforcement fight criminal and terrorist activity. This decreases community trust and infringes upon efforts to fight crime and save lives.

“Denying licenses to immigrants is bad for public safety resulting in unsafe roads, high insurance rates and overwhelmed court systems.” said Aeryca Steinbauer, Coordinator of CAUSA. “Rather than increasing security, immigrants who fear discrimination and deportation will avoid contact with law enforcement and will be less likely to report crimes and assist local law enforcement in fighting criminal and terrorist activity. We urge the governor to rescind his order.”

Upon hearing the news of Governor Kulongoski’s action to deny licenses to immigrants on Wednesday, CAUSA and allies generated thousands of contacts urging the Governor to reconsider.


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Protect Driver's License Access for Oregon Residents

November 14, 2007

THIS FRIDAY Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is planning to issue an executive order that would bar Oregon's undocumented immigrants from accessing a driver's license.

Under the Governor's proposed executive order, DMV would limit the documents accepted to get a driver's license, eliminating undocumented immigrants use to qualify such as the Matricula card or foreign birth certificates. Currently under Oregon law, all residents of Oregon -regardless of legal status- can obtain a driver's license, a important public safety policy.

Currently, there are over 120,000 undocumented immigrants in Oregon, many of whom drive on Oregon's roads to get to work, buy groceries, and take their kids to school. As a result of Governor Kulongoski's proposed executive order, these drivers would not be allow to take drivers classes or pass driving tests, will not be able to get insurance, and will be more likely to be involved in a potentially fatal accident. Studies show that licensing drivers prevents accidents and insurance losses as drivers are tested, registered and photographed. Likewise, licensing and law enforcement agencies are better able to track unsafe drivers.

Restricting driver's license access also erodes community trust. Rather than increasing security, driver's license restrictions would result in a situation where immigrants fear discrimination and being reported to ICE. They therefore would avoid contact with law enforcement and are less likely to report crimes and assist local law enforcement fight criminal and terrorist activity. This decreases community trust and infringes upon efforts to fight crime and save lives.

TAKE ACTION NOW and tell Governor Kulongoski that all Oregon residents, regardless of immigration status, should have access driver's licenses for the sake of public safety.

Call Governor Kulongoski at 503-378-4582, fax him at 503.378.6827 or send him a message online at: http://www.governor.state.or.us/Gov/contact_us.shtml (sample message below)

We are calling on all immigrant rights supporters to flood the Governor's phone, fax, and email with messages.

Subject: Protect public safety--preserve driver's license access for all Oregon Residents

Dear Governor Kulongoski,

I urge you to suspend your action in passing an executive order that limits documents Oregon residents can use to obtain a driver's license. Denying licenses to immigrants puts public safety at risk. Restricting driver's license access also erodes community trust. Rather than increasing security, driver's license restrictions would result in a situation where immigrants fear discrimination and being reported to ICE. They therefore would avoid contact with law enforcement and will be less likely to report crimes and assist local law enforcement fight criminal and terrorist activity.

The State of Oregon needs to have a realistic system that respects the rights of our hard-working, tax-paying residents to have access to a document that is fundamental to day-to-day functioning.

I join Oregonians in urging you to support driver's license access for all residents of Oregon.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your address]

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