2025 Legislative Session

The ACLU of Oregon is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 42,000 members and donor supporters. Our mission is to take action together to protect and advance our civil liberties and civil rights for a more just, equitable, and caring democracy in Oregon.

In the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session, we will advocate for policies that defend the basic rights and freedoms of Oregonians, including supporting the rights of immigrants and refugees and affirming the freedom to read without discriminatory censorship in public schools and libraries.

Scroll down to learn more about these priority policies ↓

Oregonians believe in the freedom to read, think, and learn.

Censorship is against Oregon values. The majority of voters and parents oppose book bans. In recent years, Oregon faced the most challenges to school and library books in our state’s history — with targeted books often written by or about people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ people.

We must stop discriminatory book bans, and other forms of censorship, in Oregon public schools. This includes discrimination based on race, national origin, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military status, or marital or family status.

PAST WORK ON THE FREEDOM TO READ BILL.

Immigrants and refugees are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends.

There are more than 421,000 immigrants living in Oregon, making up 10% of the state’s population. Oregon is enriched by the diversity of experiences, cultures, and traditions that all of us bring to our neighborhoods and state. Immigrants keep our economy and the wellness of our families and communities strong.

Immigrants make up 10% of Oregon’s economy and account for 13% of the state’s economic output. In Oregon, we believe in caring for each other and protecting our communities from those who try to divide us. All Oregonians, including immigrant and refugee Oregonians, deserve to live in communities where our families feel safe, included, and respected.

Keep Our Families and Communities Together and Strong.

Legislators can act now to protect Oregon’s families, workers, and communities through the Immigrant Justice Package. This set of bills offers proven, cost-effective solution:

Universal Representation:

A.Universal Representation:

HB 2543: Universal representation creates fairness, orderliness, and humanity in the immigration system by giving immigrants and refugees the opportunity to access their rights under U.S. law. Since lawmakers first supported this statewide program in 2022, it has helped 10,000 Oregonians with immigration-related legal services, which has helped maintain stability for their families, employers, and communities. HB 2543 would continue funding for this successful program.

Farmworker Disaster Relief Fund:

A.Farmworker Disaster Relief Fund:

HB 3193: Our frontline farmworkers help feed our state and drive Oregon’s economic engine, and they shouldn’t have to give up their safety during disasters to pay rent and provide for their families. HB 3193 supports relief funds for farmworkers so they, their families, and their communities can survive during disasters.

Indigenous Language Justice:

A.Indigenous Language Justice:

HB 2976: Everyone deserves to understand and be understood, especially in hospitals, courts, schools, and government offices. When people can better access these important services and spaces, this helps create more prosperity and security in our families and communities. HB 2976 supports Indigenous language speakers access qualified interpreters.

Food for All Oregonians:

A.Food for All Oregonians:

SB 611: No one should go hungry in our state. When all families can put food on the table, our children do better in school, healthcare costs decrease, and local businesses thrive. SB 611 makes food assistance available to Oregonians ages 0-25 and 55+ who are currently excluded due to immigration status.

Home Fund:

A.Home Fund:

Emergency rental assistance is critical to preventing evictions and homelessness, which helps keep our communities stable and workforce strong. The Home Fund provides emergency rental assistance to immigrants through trusted community organizations.