State of Oregon Archives: on Immigration


Val Hoyle: Voted YES on driver's licenses for non-resident aliens

SB 833: Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence.Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-7-3 on April 23; Passed House, 38-20-2 on April 30; State Rep. Val Hoyle voted YES; Signed by Governor John Kitzhaber on May 1, 2013.
Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB 833 Apr 30, 2013

Val Hoyle: Expand state college aid to undocumented students

Excerpts from The Oregonian:Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate, 17-12-1; passed Assembly 34-25-1; Majority Leader Hoyle voted YES; Signed by the Governor 8/12/2015.
Source: The Oregonian on Oregon legislative voting records: SB932 Jul 22, 2015

Casey Kulla: Oregon should welcome arrival of Afghan refugees

We have the opportunity to be kinder and more generous by offering a new home to people fleeing war and brutality. Embracing the arrival of new Oregonians carries other benefits as well. Afghan refugees will need rewarding work upon arrival and will seek out educational opportunities. The exchange of ideas and cultures when Afghans join other Oregonians can create new ways of doing business, of dressing, of communicating, of living.
Source: The Oregon Way on 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial race Aug 24, 2021

Jason Beebe: Without a border, we are not a country

Everything that was accomplished under President Trump along the border is getting reversed by Biden. It is horrible. We were dealing blows to illegal immigration, drug runners, coyotes, and finally securing our border on the South. We have always had challenges with how people come to America, but we can not just ignore the problem--let's fix the problem. Our borders need to be secured because without a border, we are not a country.
Source: 2021 OR Senate campaign website BeebeForOregon.com Aug 29, 2021

Jason Conger: Stricter rules for non-citizen college tuition equity

House Bill 2787 would grant in-state tuition for undocumented students who have attended school in the country for at least 5 years; studied at an Oregon high school for at least 3 years, and graduated; and show intention to become a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. Supporters said it would allow children raised in Oregon to contribute to the state's economy.

House Republicans unsuccessfully proposed an alternative version that would have let the bill expire in 2016 and limited tuition equity to undocumented immigrants who are in the US by July 1. Republicans also sought stricter guidelines on how students could demonstrate they intend to become lawful residents. The House rejected the alternative proposal 23-33, leading several Republicans to attack Democrats for what they saw as a wasted opportunity to compromise. "We could have achieved some admirable goals with this bill without ignoring the concerns of many Oregonians," said Rep. Jason Conger, R-Bend. "I consider this a failure."

Source: The Oregonian on 2014 Oregon Senate debate Feb 22, 2013

Jason Conger: Voted NO on drivers licenses for non-resident aliens

SB 833: Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence (Bill Passed House, 38-20); Conger voted Nay.
Source: 2013-2014 Oregon Senate & House legislative voting records Apr 30, 2013

Jason Conger: Temporary visas for needed undocumented immigrants

On immigration, Callahan took the hardest line, saying that he wanted to "enforce the borders, enforce existing laws and say no to amnesty."

Conger said he'd support temporary visas for undocumented immigrants to work in such areas of agriculture and also called for additional visas for well-educated foreign workers, something that has been heavily sought by the high-tech industry.

Wehby said after the debate she hasn't decided yet if that means providing legal residency or a path to citizenship.

Source: The Oregonian on 2016 Oregon Senate race Jan 25, 2014

Jeff Merkley: Rated 90% by Oregonians for Immigration Reform

Representative Merkley supported the interests of the Oregonians for Immigration Reform 90% in 2001-2002.

OFIR, Oregonians For Immigration Reform, is a non-profit organization whose members believe that our immigration laws & practices must be reformed We are very critical of the national laws relating to legal immigration and of the enforcement policies of both the Clinton and Bush administrations relative to illegal immigration.

Source: Oregon State Legislative Voting Records Jan 1, 2003

Jo Rae Perkins: Construct wall along the Mexican border

Q: Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

A: Yes. The campaign we

Source: Vote Smart Oregon Congressional 2018 NPAT Nov 1, 2018

Jo Rae Perkins: Yes to wall; no to illegal aliens

I stand with President Trump in expanding and fortifying the border wall. Immigrants are welcome that come into our nation legally. Pass laws that limit or stop federal dollars to any state, county, city, etc. that has declared "sanctuary status" for illegal aliens. Allowing illegal aliens to enter our country contributes to sex, human and drug trafficking.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.vote Jun 17, 2020

Jo Rae Perkins: For border wall, against "sanctuary status"

I stand with President Trump in expanding and fortifying the border wall. Immigrants are welcome that come into our nation legally. Pass laws that limits or stops federal dollars to any state, county, city, etc., that has declared "sanctuary status" for illegal aliens. Allowing illegal aliens to enter our country contributes to sex, human and drug trafficking.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com Aug 17, 2020

Jo Rae Perkins: Give Dreamers opportunity to become citizens, no Federal aid

I have a common-sense solution. Dreamers would have six months to register with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and declare their intention to become US citizens. They would then have six years to become citizens. During this time, they would be required to undergo thorough background checks to verify they are eligible for citizenship. Once the Dreamer has registered with USCIS, they would not be eligible to receive any federal assistance.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website PerkinsForUSSenate.com Aug 17, 2020

John Kitzhaber: Voted YES on driver's licenses for non-resident aliens

SB 833: Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence. Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 20-7-3 on April 23; Passed House, 38-20-2 on April 30; Signed by Governor John Kitzhaber on May 1, 2013
Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB 833 May 1, 2013

Kate Brown: Expand state college aid to undocumented students

Excerpts from The Oregonian:

Status:Passed Senate, 17-12-1; passed Assembly 34-25-1; Signed by the Governor 8/12/2015

Source: The Oregonian on Oregon legislative voting records: SB 932 Jul 22, 2015

Kate Brown: Oregon will accept refugees and help them rebuild lives

Oregon will continue to accept refugees. They seek safe haven and we will continue to open the doors of opportunity to them. As Oregonians, it is our moral obligation to help them rebuild their lives. In Oregon we will continue to abide by federal laws regarding resettlement. Oregon does not have a direct role or act independently of the federal government.
Source: The Advocate on 2016 Oregon gubernatorial race Nov 18, 2015

Kate Brown: Open the doors of opportunity for Syrian refugees

Gov. Kate Brown broke her silence on the controversy over resettling Syrian refugees, saying that Oregon will "open the doors of opportunity" for displaced people. "Clearly, Oregon will continue to accept refugees," Brown tweeted. "They seek safe haven and we will continue to open the doors of opportunity for them." Brown posted a second tweet: "The words on the Statue of Liberty apply in Oregon just as they do in every other state."

In a letter to Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, Brown said she has neither the authority nor the will to keep Syrian refugees from resettling in Oregon. "As Oregonians, it is our moral obligation to help them rebuild their lives," Brown wrote. "In Oregon we will continue to abide by federal laws regarding resettlement. Oregon does not have a direct role or act independently of the federal government."

Brown's statements came as a wave of mostly Republican governors across the U.S. have sought to close state borders to Syrian refugees.

Source: The Oregonian on Syrian refugees: 2016 Oregon governor race Nov 17, 2015

Kate Brown: Undocumented families hurt by fires deserve assistance

We need financial resources to be able to purchase critical, essential equipment like aircraft to help us fight fire. It also means that agencies like FEMA who do not aid our undocumented families, we need to make sure that that happens. FEMA does not provide aid or assistance to these families. It is absolutely unacceptable. They're the heart and soul of our culture and they are the backbone of our economy. They deserve the assistance and they need it.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2021 interview of Oregon Governor Jul 4, 2021

Kevin Stine: Any reasonable reform includes a pathway to citizenship

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?

A: Support. Any reasonable suggestion for immigration reform needs to include a pathway to citizenship.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues Jan 1, 2016

Knute Buehler: Omit minor infractions from sanctuary state rules

Carpenter and Wooldridge say they are against the state's sanctuary status for immigrants. Buehler says he sees the utility of limited sanctuary rules which exclude violent criminals but block minor infractions and traffic offenses from being flagged to federal immigration authorities.
Source: Associated Press on 2018 Oregon Governor race May 5, 2018

Mark Callahan: No driver's licenses for illegal immigrants

The issue of illegal immigration has been a major topic for many years in America. I personally worked with, and strongly supported, those that were against Measure 88 in the November 2014 election to stop driver's licenses from being given to illegal immigrants. As the election results indicated, most of Oregon, by strong majority margins in 35 of the 36 counties agreed that driver's licenses for illegal immigrants was not a good idea, and Measure 88 was voted down.

When blanket amnesty was granted in 1986, it created a message that spread across the world. The message became "the welcome mat is out in America with no repercussions". For over two decades this problem of illegal immigration has been compounded by having porous borders and lack of enforcement.

If elected, I will fight to do what is best for American families, while keeping us safe by advocating for complete border security. We must get our arms around this issue before irreparable damage is done

Source: 2016 Oregon Senate campaign website, CallahanForOregon.com Oct 9, 2015

Mark Callahan: Enforce borders; enforce existing laws; say no to amnesty

On immigration, Callahan took the hardest line, saying that he wanted to "enforce the borders, enforce existing laws and say no to amnesty."

Conger said he'd support temporary visas for undocumented immigrants to work in such areas of agriculture and also called for additional visas for well-educated foreign workers, something that has been heavily sought by the high-tech industry.

Wehby said after the debate she hasn't decided yet if that means providing legal residency or a path to citizenship.

Source: The Oregonian on 2016 Oregon Senate race Jan 25, 2014

Monica Wehby: Secure the border but increase H1B visas & guest workers

Dr. Monica Wehby believes that before we make any reforms to our immigration system that we must secure the border. Border security must be the immediate priority. Monica is also against amnesty for those who came here illegally. That simply isn't fair to the people who came here through the proper channels. Dr. Monica Wehby also believes that we need to increase the amount of H1B visas for skilled workers. It doesn't make any sense to train and educate these workers in the U.S. and then force them to take the skills they learned here to another country. Dr. Monica Wehby also believes we should work with Oregon's agriculturists to develop a temporary guest worker program that works.
Source: 2014 Ore. Senate campaign website, www.MonicaForOregon.com Mar 18, 2014

Nicholas Kristof: Oregon showed compassion for a refugee--my father

[On refugees]: "I exist only because Oregon showed compassion for a refugee--my father," Kristof said. "It's that Oregon--the one of hope and opportunity, the one that reveals the best in us, even when things are at their worst, that I believe in."

"We seem to be losing some of that now. But I know we can create it together," Kristof said. "That's why I am running for governor."

Source: 2021 Oregon Governor campaign website NickForOR.com Oct 27, 2021

Paul Romero: END sanctuary cities; protect our borders

Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website Romero4Oregon.com Dec 23, 2019

Paul Romero: Border wall is a good thing for everybody

Romero is a fan of President Donald Trump, and shares many of his views on immigration. He said countries around the world protect their borders, and America should too. "A wall at the border is going to greatly reduce everything from drugs to human trafficking to illegal immigration to the potential of terrorists moving across our borders and into our country. This is a good thing for everybody, whether they want to admit it or not," Romero said. He said he favors legal immigration.
Source: The News-Review on 2020 Oregon Senate race Sep 20, 2019

Tina Kotek: Expand state college aid to undocumented students

Excerpts from The Oregonian:
  • A party-line vote approved legislation that would expand state college aid to undocumented students.
  • SB932 marks another step toward "tuition equity" in Oregon, allowing immigrants brought to the US by their parents to pay in-state tuition rates when attending Oregon colleges.
  • Under SB932, those students would be eligible for state tuition grants worth about $2,000 a year.
  • State officials estimate up 350 undocumented students, often from low- income families, will be able to receive grants & attend college. SB932 adds funding for 13,000 more students overall to qualify for state tuition grants.
  • The vote was acrimonious: opponents pointed to a ballot referendum that would have issued driver's cards to residents without proof of immigration status. Oregonians voted down the measure in droves.Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate, 17-12-1; passed Assembly 34-25-1; Speaker Kotek voted YES; Signed by the Governor 8/12/2015
    Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB932 Jul 22, 2015

    Tina Kotek: Voted YES on driver's licenses for non-resident aliens

    SB 833: Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence. Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 20-7-3 on April 23; Passed House, 38-20-2 on April 30; House Speaker Tina Kotek voted YES; Signed by Governor John Kitzhaber on May 1, 2013
    Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB 833 Apr 30, 2013

    Tobias Read: Expand state college aid to undocumented students

    Excerpts from The Oregonian:
  • A party-line vote approved legislation that would expand state college aid to undocumented students.
  • SB932 marks another step toward "tuition equity" in Oregon, allowing immigrants brought to the US by their parents to pay in-state tuition rates when attending Oregon colleges.
  • Under SB932, those students would be eligible for state tuition grants worth about $2,000 a year.
  • State officials estimate up 350 undocumented students, often from low- income families, will be able to receive grants & attend college. SB932 adds funding for 13,000 more students overall to qualify for state tuition grants.
  • The vote was acrimonious: opponents pointed to a ballot referendum that would have issued driver's cards to residents without proof of immigration status. Oregonians voted down the measure in droves.Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate, 17-12-1; passed Assembly 34-25-1; Rep. Read voted YES; Signed by the Governor 8/12/2015
    Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB932 Jul 22, 2015

    Tobias Read: Voted YES on driver's licenses for non-resident aliens

    SB 833: Authorizes Drivers Licenses for Individuals Without Legal Proof of US Residence. Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 20-7-3 on April 23; Passed House, 38-20-2 on April 30; State Rep. Tobias Read voted YES; Signed by Governor John Kitzhaber on May 1, 2013
    Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB 833 Apr 30, 2013

    Betsy Johnson: Don't expand state college aid to undocumented students

    Excerpts from The Oregonian:Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate, 17-12-1; Johnson voted NO; passed Assembly 34-25-1; Signed by the Governor 8/12/2015
    Source: Oregon legislative voting records: SB932 Jul 22, 2015

    Christine Drazan: Oregon's Sanctuary State law is extreme and out of touch

    House Bill 3551 would allow law enforcement agencies in Oregon to work with federal authorities to identify and remove individuals convicted of violent felonies, Class A misdemeanors, and felony sexual offenses. Rep. Christine Drazan is a sponsor of the bill. "Oregon's Sanctuary State law is extreme and out of touch with the vast majority of Oregonians who want to live in safe neighborhoods," Drazan said.
    Source: The Cottage Grove Sentinel on 2026 Oregon Gubernatorial race Feb 11, 2025

    • The above quotations are from State of Oregon Politicians: Archives.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    2024 Presidential contenders on Immigration:
      Candidates for President & Vice-President:
    V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
    Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
    Chase Oliver(L-GA)
    Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
    Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
    Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
    Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
    Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

    		2024 presidential primary contenders:
    Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
    N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
    N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
    Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
    S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
    Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
    Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
    U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
    Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
    S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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    Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026