Protecting Prosperity: Report from Oregon’s Universal Representation Program
Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO), the state’s universal representation program, has provided free legal representation to more than 26,000 immigrant Oregonians since its launch and expects that number to grow to 30,000 by the end of the year. The program, established in 2022 by the Oregon Legislature and designed and administered by community based organizations, aims to create stability for immigrant families and workers by offering critical legal support across the state.
ECO’s community-driven model connects immigrants to legal services, habeas corpus representation, deportation defense, asylum applications, work permit applications and more. “ICE is attacking communities,” said Stephen Manning, Executive Committee Member of Oregon Worker Relief. “We’re seeing ICE flying drones over schools, people abducted from the street by masked agents in unmarked cars. ECO is a lifeline to immigrant Oregonians to defend their rights and Oregon’s values.”
Key achievements highlighted in ECO’s latest report include:
- 26.007 individuals served statewide, including 9,077 minor children.
- 3,300 Oregonians defended in court.
- 6,000 asylum seekers supported in their pursuit of legal protection.
- 250+ community skill-building workshops to educate immigrants about their rights.
The report includes critical recommendations including exploring innovative solutions with the Oregon State Bar to increase case engagement among lawyers receiving funding from the OSB to provide deportation defense, adapting systems to improve ECO member experiences, and advocating for more investment in ECO’s programs.
As the Trump administration took office, they vowed to target immigrants and refugees across the nation with an overwhelming list of executive orders, aimed at limiting immigration to the United States, ending Birthright Citizenship and more. What came next was some of the worst attacks on immigrant Oregonians in decades. Federal agents flooded the state with high tech surveillance, trampled civil rights and civil liberties, and tore apart families and communities.
As legal pathways like the refugee resettlement program began to dismantle, the attacks on communities increased, inciting fear and chaos in our communities. Critical policies and memos like the Sensitive Locations memo, which limited immigration enforcement in places like schools, healthcare facilities and places of worship were rescinded. This sent a chilling effect on Oregon schools, community spaces and healthcare facilities. These changes later escalated to arrests at courthouses, lost income, families separated, and deaths. The entire nation felt these effects and we acutely felt them in our neighborhoods and communities.
Decades of inaction by Congress on immigration reform has resulted in a massive court backlog, and cases can take years to resolve. ECO partners with community organizations, legal representatives, and attorneys to ensure immigrants receive the support they need.
The report features stories of ECO participants like Victor Cruz Gamez, a small business owner from Hillsboro, Oregon who was unlawfully detained by ICE coming home from work, and Maria Loya Medina, a mother from Albany, Oregon who was buying socks for her son when ICE shattered her car windows to unlawfully arrest her.
Without representation, immigrant Oregonians are more likely to be deported, regardless of the merits of their case. Employers in Oregon bear the high turnover costs of hiring, training, and lost productivity when their employees are unnecessarily detained and deported. If a family’s breadwinner is deported, family members face housing and food insecurity. Children must cope with the incredible trauma of family separation, with long-lasting psychological impacts.
ECO leaders emphasize the need for ongoing resources to ensure the program can serve all eligible Oregonians
Download the report.