The ECO detained representation program was highly successful. ECO secured released from detention at nearly double the national average and won the right to remain more than 8 times higher than the national average. ECO’s detained representation program provides full scope, early and continuous representation. ECO’s program provides representation to any Oregonian detained at any ICE detention facility. The program launched in August 2022. OWR holds the fundamental belief that everyone deserves due process under the law.
Through ECO, attorneys are able to hold the government accountable for abiding by the protections that the law guarantees, ensure people can access claims or defenses they may not have known about on their own, and ensures people who have legal claims to remain in the United States are not deported simply because they lack attorneys to help make their cases.
Oregon law generally prohibits immigration detention inside Oregon. That, however, does not prevent immigrant Oregonians from being detained at ICE detention facilities such as the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. ECO promotes representation for Oregonians who are detained on account of their immigration status through a series of relationships with providers through the ECO Panel Attorney & Accredited Representative program. The attorneys provide full-service representation, including full-scope removal, bond, and collateral defenses. From August 2022 to June 2024, ECO received 104 referrals from various sources including community-members, panel attorneys, and attorneys with the NW Immigrant Rights Project who visit the Tacoma detention center regularly. Nine referrals were closed because of capacity limitations. Full-service representation was offered to 94 Oregonians, of whom 79 accepted the representation. Seventeen referrals were closed because the individual declined representation. Remedies were identified in 40 cases and 47 individuals were eligible for release.
25%
Allowed to remain, 8 times higher than national average
49%
Released to their community, of eligible
83%
Pursued a remedy to remain
60%
Pursued protection such as asylum.
Download the snapshot on ECO’s detained representation program, here.