On Saturday (September 15, 2018), immigration was one of the hottest topics at the town hall at Seaside Elementary School, Astoria, hosted by Representative Suzanne Bonamici. The event was staged less than two months before voters in Oregon get to decide on the issue of Measure 105, which would see the state’s sanctuary law repealed.
Bonamici voiced her opposition to Measure 105, referencing a letter written by Pat Garrett and Kevin Barton, the respective Sheriff and District Attorney of Washington County, who are against the repeal. Sheriff Tom Bergin has also cited Garrett’s letter as the inspiration for his decision to write his own letter supporting the measure, which has been co-signed by 15 of the state’s other Sheriffs. The Congresswoman said that all members of the community have the right to be and feel safe, including when testifying in court or reporting a crime.
Bonamici talked about the Family Case Management Program, a 2016 pilot program that wanted to ensure families trying to gain asylum were able to stay together. President Barack Obama created the program in response to Central America’s refugee crisis. It was shut down in 2017, with Bonamici noting that many of the immigrant refugees want asylum because of religious persecution, which is what the US has always been about.
Bonamici also made repeated references to the ongoing negotiations to have the North American Free Trade Agreement reworked, with Canada and the US still unable to reach an agreement.