FAQ's
1. Did the legislature really not set oversight and key performance metrics “before doling out money”?
The Oregon Legislature established the state’s Universal Representation program with multiple layers of oversight, including regular reports to the Legislature and the Department of Administrative Services; an Advisory Committee of immigrants and legal professionals; and strict legal service standards. Oregon Worker Relief (OWR) works alongside the Oregon State Bar to ensure these governance standards are upheld.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
2. Is there really a lack of data on ECO’s outcomes?
ECO publishes significant amounts of data. Our reports include waitlist numbers, case outcomes, how many Oregonians have enrolled and received legal services, applications filed for asylum and work authorizations, and more. As many immigration cases take years to conclude, and the program is just over two years old, we provide progress metrics along the way to show how we’re making a difference. For recently published data, see ECO Prosper Report and ECO in Briefs.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
3. Does ECO only do deportation defense like programs in other states?
Deportation defense is just one part of our community-driven model. ECO helps Oregonians with all immigration legal needs, including asylum, work permits, DACA, visas for crime survivors, family unification, citizenship, interpretation services, filing fee support, and more. It is inaccurate to compare ECO to other state programs that only provide services to individuals fighting an unjust deportation.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
4. If there aren’t enough attorneys, how is ECO working at all?
It’s true there’s a shortage of immigration lawyers in Oregon and across the country. There are fewer than 100 attorneys who practice deportation defense in Oregon, and the Portland Immigration Court has a backlog of 40,000 cases. That’s precisely why ECO prioritizes services for those at imminent risk of deportation.
But we’re not waiting for a magic fix–we’re growing Oregon’s future legal workforce right now. ECO clinics and workshops in Portland, Medford, Hermiston, Woodburn, Forest Grove, and Bend help Oregonians today, while also training new lawyers, paralegals, and accredited representatives. We have expanded legal services capacity statewide through strategic capacity grants, fellowships, and partnerships with law schools and a community college.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
5. Why does ECO highlight work authorization and asylum applications and not just deportation wins/losses?
Because final decisions can take years in federal court, ECO provides practical supports along the way—like asylum and work authorization applications—that keep families together and enable individuals to work legally in the meantime. Not every immigration case is in court, and there are multiple pathways forward. That’s why ECO screens for 64 different pathways, offering referrals and legal services tailored to each person.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
6. Who designed ECO and why?
ECO was designed by immigrant and refugee leaders, community members, and community-based organizations who saw firsthand the barriers that immigrant and refugees Oregonians face. That grassroots input is why ECO’s model includes navigators, clinics, a clearinghouse, self referrals, interpretation services, filing fee support, and more—all focused on meeting people where they are.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
7. Can people still slip through the cracks?
We acknowledge that there are not enough attorneys to serve everyone at the same time. Some folks wait longer than we’d like for help. That’s a reality of a broken federal immigration system and a nationwide attorney shortage. That’s why ECO offers a safety net of navigators, workshops, practical supports, and a statewide call center to help as many immigrant and refugee Oregonians as possible. It is also important to know that ECO has a rapid response program to directly address Trump’s mass deportation plans.
There is a waitlist for our services that lasts less than 30 days, as of February 2025. However, those at imminent risk of deportation (including those who are detained by federal immigration authorities) are statutorily required to be prioritized for legal services and do not experience any wait times.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
8. Is the clearinghouse causing problems for people’s cases?
The clearinghouse is a data and coordination system that ensures case information is tracked, eligibility determinations are made, and that attorneys are following through with services. This is a national best practice, as it ensures that Oregon can serve as many people as possible with the limited resources and capacity that we have. States and localities such as California, Long Beach, Chicago and Washington are considering or moving towards such a model.
Some have critiqued ECO by saying immigrants are not connected to early and continuous representation as part of this model. This is false, and many of those served are connected to such representation. Additionally, people can enroll in ECO through community partners, legal service providers, or the statewide call center.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025
9. Did Oregon Worker Relief refuse to provide program data or interviews to The Oregonian?
We’ve consistently shared information. In fact, we received 40 emails from The Oregonian with more than 170 questions and requests for data over the last 14 months. We shared numerous written Q&A responses, data, and analysis in response. In April, Stephen Manning participated in an interview with The Oregonian, and other ECO partners were interviewed too.
Last updated on: 2/24/2025