Spring Assembly Adopts Resolution to Oppose Oregon Anti-Immigrant Ballot Initiatives

Adopted on May 17, 2008 by vote of the delegates at the Central Pacific Conference Spring Assembly Annual Meeting. The text of the resolution as adopted is below followed by supplemental information presented at Spring Assembly.

RESOLUTION for Central Pacific Conference Annual Assembly - Spring 2008
OPPOSE OREGON ANTI-IMMIGRATION BALLOT INITIATIVES.

Signed by: Catherine Rolling, Ainsworth; Rev. Susan Leo, Bridgeport; Rev. Chuck Currie, Parkrose

Our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform. We, as people of faith, want an opportunity to support proposals that include legalization with a path to citizenship and family unification. However, legislative proposals making their way to the November 2008 ballot in Oregon will further divide our communities and increase hate, fear, and racism, thus contributing to anti-immigrant sentiment by attacking an already vulnerable people, known by people of faith as children of the Creator.

Whereas: Oregon ballot initiative petition (IP) #19 proposes to add a section to the Oregon Revised Statutes requiring English immersion in public schools as proposed by Bill Sizemore and Alan Grosso and filed in the Secretary of State’s office on April 18, 2006:

• prohibits teaching public school students in languages other than English for more than two years.
• would have a sever impact on immigrant children’s opportunities for quality education.
• would take away local control and classroom decisions about individual learning levels and special needs of students, thereby punishing immigrant and refugee children, regardless of their legal status, and

Whereas: Oregon ballot initiative petition (IP) #112 named “Respect for Law Act” proposed by Mehran Smith and Shahriyar Smith of Oregonians for Immigration Reform and filed in the Secretary of State’s office on July 10, 2007:

• effectively forces undocumented immigrants further into the shadows.
• diverts local government resources away from community safety, health and education needs.
• moves police, fire fighters, teachers, social workers, and health care workers to act as immigration officers.
• encourages racial profiling, unreported crime, school dropouts, and public health and safety calamities.
• imperils public safety by restricting driver’s licenses forcing immigrants who must drive to maintain their employment and care for their households to continue driving as unlicensed motorists.
• offers new voter registration restrictions which are unnecessary since there is no evidence that non-citizens are voting - and discourages registration by other marginalized populations, such as low-income, elderly and people of color, and

Whereas: These measures are an affront to the dignity, safety, livelihoods, and opportunities of our immigrant neighbors, and

Whereas: Jesus instructs us to welcome strangers - not mistreat them, and

Whereas: As Christians, our actions should reflect Jesus’ teachings, and

Whereas: As a nation of immigrants, our laws should reflect compassionate action toward those who come into our country for safety and opportunity;

Be it resolved: that the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ declares its opposition to Oregon ballot initiative petitions #19 and #112 and calls on local UCC affiliates and other faith communities to do the same.

For a printable version of the resolution and supplemental material, click here (requires Adobe Reader).

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Summary of Initiative Petitions

Overview by Kayse Jama, Director of Center for Intercultural Organizing

#19: Prohibits Teaching Public School Students In Language Other Than English For More Than Two Years

Summary of Initiative:

• Non-English speaking students who enter the public school system will be limited to not more than two years of English Immersion classes.
• The amount of time for ESL [English as a Second Language] classes depends on the grade of non-English speaking students entering the public school system.

“Yes” Statement: “Yes” vote prohibits teaching public school students in a language other than English for more than two years (exception for teaching foreign languages to English speakers).

“No” Statement: “No” vote retains requiring English courses for students unable to profit from classes taught in English, permitting Multilanguage instruction to assist in transition to English.

Significant Impact/Concerns:

• This initiative does not consider individual learning levels or students with special needs.
• What are the consequences for non-English speaking students who are prematurely forced into English only classes?
• How will this affect refugee children who have come directly from refugee camps with little formal education?
• How will this affect ESL [English as a Second Language] funding, school funding, and curriculum?

See the Initiative Petition #19 Fact Sheet for more.

For additional information about Initiative Petition #19, see the Oregon Secretary of State, Election Division, Initiative, Referrendum and Referral online database. Click here for the complete text of Initiative Petition #19 in PDF format (requires Adobe Reader).

#112: Allows state cooperation with Immigration Enforcement; Requires “Legal Presence”/Citizenship for Specified States Rights/Privileges

Summary of Initiative:

• No Statute, regulation, or agency/instrumentality of the state can prohibit public employees from cooperating with federal agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration law.
• First time Oregon voters must provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
• Proof of legal residence is required for driver license applicants.

“Yes” Statement: “Yes” vote allows state/local cooperation and resources for immigration enforcement; requires certain documentation of citizenship for voter registration, “legal presence” for driver/identification documents.

“No” Statement: “No” vote retains current state/local limits on cooperation and resources to enforce immigration laws, current requirements for voter registration, and grant of driver/identification documents.

Significant Concerns/Impacts:

• Would state and local police have the ability to arrest undocumented immigrants on a regular basis?
• Would state and local police receive proper training, funding and support to carry out federal immigration enforcement?
• Would this initiative require all government workers (hospitals, schools, etc.) to report undocumented immigrants?
• Would this initiative promote racial profiling?
• Would this eliminate the ability to hold street-side voter registration drives?
• How long will it take to verify a voter’s status under the new system?

See the Initiative Petition #112 Fact Sheet for more.

For additional information about Initiative Petition #112, see the Oregon Secretary of State, Election Division, Initiative, Referrendum and Referral online database. Click here for the complete text of Initiative Petition #112 in PDF format (requires Adobe Reader).

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© 2008 Central Pacific Conference United Church of Christ.
This site last updated: July 07, 2008.