PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland City Councilor Sameer Kanal has introduced new legislation aimed at expanding the city’s sanctuary protections and increasing accountability for law enforcement officers.
Codifying Sanctuary City Status
The first ordinance would formally codify Portland’s 2017 resolution declaring itself a sanctuary city. While the resolution symbolically affirmed that city funds and personnel could not be used for federal immigration enforcement, it did not carry the weight of law.
Kanal’s proposal would change that, directing the City Administrator to develop binding policies, training programs, and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance. The measure also calls for providing additional support to immigrant and other vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by immigration enforcement.
“This is about making sure our values are reflected in enforceable policies,” Kanal said. “We want Portland to remain a place where everyone feels safe, regardless of immigration status.”
The ordinance further urges Congress to adopt federal civil rights protections, aligning Portland’s stance with broader national efforts to defend immigrant rights.
Transparency for Law Enforcement Officers
Kanal is also preparing to introduce a second ordinance next week. This measure would require all law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to display visible identification—such as badges or name tags—when interacting with the public.
The ordinance would prohibit officers from concealing their identities during demonstrations, arrests, or other public interactions. Kanal said the rule is intended to address community concerns about unmarked officers and plainclothes operations, particularly during protests.
“Transparency and accountability are essential for trust between police and the community,” Kanal explained. “People have the right to know who is enforcing the law.”
Broader Effort for Safeguards
The proposals are part of what Kanal described as a broader City Council effort to safeguard Portland residents amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and policing practices. The ordinances echo steps taken in other cities. Both Los Angeles and Berkeley, California, passed similar laws in the past year to reinforce sanctuary protections and strengthen oversight of law enforcement.
If adopted, Portland’s measures would put the city at the forefront of sanctuary policy enforcement while also setting a standard for transparency in policing.
Community and National Context
The move comes as immigrant communities nationwide express heightened fear over federal immigration crackdowns and as debates about policing practices continue to shape local politics. Sanctuary policies have often been challenged at the federal level, but local governments like Portland’s have doubled down on them as a form of community protection.
For Kanal, the two ordinances go hand-in-hand. “Protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring government accountability are not separate issues,” he said. “They’re part of the same commitment to civil rights and public trust.”
The City Council is expected to hold hearings on the sanctuary ordinance in the coming weeks, with the police identification ordinance scheduled for introduction shortly after.
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