HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 5474COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 5474
A RESOLUTION DECLARING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
RESULTING FROM FEDERAL IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS; AFFIRMING THE CITY OF
EUGENE'S COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS, DUE
PROCESS, COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND ACCESS TO
ESSENTIAL SERVICES; ENCOURAGING COORDINATION,
COMMUNICATION, AND PARTNERSHIP MECHANISMS;
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
PARTICIPATE IN AMICUS CURIAE BRIEFS IN MATTERS
INVOLVING SIGNIFICANTCONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
RELATED TO SELF-GOVERANCE POWERS.
PASSED: 8:0
REJECTED:
OPPOSED:
ABSENT:
CONSIDERED: February 9, 2026
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RESOLUTION NO. 5474
A RESOLUTION DECLARING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS RESULTING
FROM FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS;
AFFIRMING THE CITY OF EUGENE'S COMMITMENT TO HUMAN
RIGHTS, DUE PROCESS, COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND ACCESS TO
ESSENTIAL SERVICES; ENCOURAGING COORDINATION,
COMMUNICATION, AND PARTNERSHIP MECHANISMS; AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PARTICIPATE IN AMICUS
CURIAE BRIEFS IN MATTERS INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO SELF-GOVERANCE
POWERS.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. The City Council of the City of Eugene has a longstanding commitment to human
rights, equity, inclusion , and the dignity and safety of all people, regardless of national origin or
immigration status. This longstanding commitment has been demonstrated through the City
Council's adoption of numerous resolutions and ordinances, including:
1. Human Rights Municipal Code provisions, EC 4.613 -4.655 (adopted in
1971, with the most recent amendment adopted in 2014 which made it unlawful to
discriminate based on gender (Ord. 20523)).
2. Resolution 5001 (adopted 2010) Supporting the Passage of the
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
3. Resolution 5013 (adopted 2010) Denouncing Hate, Intolerance, and Bias
Activities in the City of Eugene.
4. Resolution 5073 (adopted 2012) in Support of a Statement of Principles for
Immigrant Integration.
5. Resolution 5142 (adopted in 2015) Declaring the Urgency of the Housing
and Homelessness Crisis.
6. Resolution 5148 (adopted in 2016) Declaring the Second Monday of
October as Indigenous Peoples ' Day.
7. Resolution 5154 (adopted 111 2016) Declaring the City of Eugene's
Commitment in Protecting Refugees.
8. Resolution 5174 (adopted in 2016) Declaring the City of Eugene's
Commitment to Being a Welcoming, Inclusive and Safe Community for Everyone.
Resolution -Page 1 of 4
9. Council Ordinance No. 20579 (adopted 2017) Concerning Protections for
Individuals and Adding Sections 2.495 and 2.497 to the Eugene Code , 1971.
10. Resolution No. 5190 (adopted 2017) Declaring the City of Eugene's
Opposition to Anti-Semitic Hate and Bias Crimes.
11. Resolution No. 5206 (adopted 2017) Supporting the Continuation of the
Deferred Action for Childhood AtTivals Program.
12. Resolution 5298 (adopted 2020) Opposing all Forms of Anti-Asian
Sentiment.
13. Resolution Nos. 5274 and 5317 (adopted 2019 and 2021) Condemning
White Nationalism.
B. E ugene is home to immigrant and mixed-status families who contribute
significantly to the social , cultural , and economic vitality of the community , and whose stability
and well-being are essential to the overall health and resilience of the City.
C. Federal immigration enforcement actions conducted by federal immigration
enforcement agencies , including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have resulted
in widespread fear , trauma, family separation, loss of income , housing instability, and disruption
of education for residents of E ugene and communities across the nation.
D. Reports of detention or deportation actions that raise due process concerns ,
including lack of meaningful access to legal protections , present serious humanitarian and
constitutional issues , paiticularly for children , elderly , and other vulnerable dependents.
E. The sudden detention or removal of a family member often creates immediate
humanitarian emergencies , including unmet basic needs , loss of transportation , risk of eviction ,
food insecurity , and long-term emotional harm to families and communities.
F. The City of Eugene has previously recognized that humanitarian crises -whether
local, national , or international -require moral clarity , public leadership, and coordinated action to
mitigate harm to affected residents.
G. Th e City Council affirms that all residents should feel safe accessing emergency
services , reporting crimes , attending school , seeking medical care , going to work , and participating
in civic life without fear , regardless of national origin or immigration status.
H. Both Oregon law and Eugene City Code limit the use of state and local resources
for federal civil immigration enforcement, reflecting the principle that public safety and
community trust are best served when local governments prioritize enforcement of local and state
law and the provision of essential services.
I. Uncertainty regarding the City of Eugene 's eligibility for federal funding -
including the potential conditioning, reduction , or withdrawal of funds based on conflicts between
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federal actions and Oregon law -creates instability for essential municipal services, undermines
long-term planning, and threatens the City's ability to deliver housing , public health ,
transportation, safety, and humanitarian programs.
J. Many City-supported programs that serve our community 's vulnerable populations
rely in pait on federal funding, and instability in those funding sources can disproportionately harm
our most vulnerable residents and undermine equity-focused service delivery.
K. The City Council recognizes that responding to humanitarian harm , protecting
community trust, ensuring continuity of essential municipal services, and safeguarding municipal
interests are legitimate and necessary functions of local government.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a
Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows:
Section 1. The City Council declares that the impacts of recent and ongoing federal
immigration enforcement actions constitute a humanitarian crisis affecting members of the Eugene
community.
Section 2. The City Council affirms its commitment to human rights, due process, family
unity , and human dignity , and condemns actions that result in detention or deportation without
meaningful access to legal protections.
Section 3. The City Council affirms the importance of peaceful civic engagement and the
protection of First Amendment rights and encourages residents to engage safely and nonviolently
in civic life.
Section 4. The City Council directs the City Manager to evaluate and propose options to
strengthen City coordination on immigrant and refugee issues, including ongoing education
oppottunities for elected officials regarding immigration processes, local impacts, and trauma-
informed governance.
Section 5. The City Council supports expanded language access , including
interpretation , translation of materials , and bi] ingual staffing at high-contact service points. The
City Council encourages the City Manager to promote a centralized, multilingual resource
webpage to help impacted residents navi gate ava ilable services and supports.
Section 6. The City Council encourages the City Manager to coordinate with relevant
departments and partners to develop clear, multilingual guidance and assistance pathways to help
families recover vehicles and avoid cascading financial harm resulting from sudden enforcement
actions.
Section 7. The City Council reaffirms its commitment to protecting residents from
hara ss ment, intimidation , and violence, including individuals impacted by immigration
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enforcement or exercising First Amendment rights. The City Council supports safe, trauma-
informed reporting options for victims and witnesses that do not create additional harm or
unintended immigration consequences , consistent with state law.
Section 8. The City Council supports the use of contracts, grants , memoranda of
understanding, and access to City facilities to strengthen partnerships with immigrant-led and
community-based organizations providing navigation , outreach, education , and humanitarian
support.
Section 9. The City Council authorizes the City Attorney to represent the City in filing
or joining Amicus Curiae briefs in state or federal courts involving significant Constitutional issues
relating to the self-governance powers reserved to the States and their political subdivisions,
particularly where such issues have the potential to create significant fiscal burdens , regulatory
uncertainty , or are otherwise likely to erode principles of local self-governance.
Section 10. The City Manager shall provide regular public updates to the City Council
regarding implementation of this Resolution , including coordination effo1is, partnerships ,
communications improvements , and next steps.
Section 11. Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to require the City or its
employees to violate federal or state law. This Resolution shall be implemented consistent with
applicable legal requirements.
Section 12. This Resolution is effective immediately upon its passage by the City Council.
The foregoing Resolution adopted the 9th day of February, 2026.
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