Oregon lawmakers have moved to boost legal aid for immigrants in 2025, responding to urgent calls from advocates after federal funding cuts. The state’s latest proposal would add $15 million to help immigrants facing deportation or seeking legal status, aiming to fill gaps left by lost federal support and rising enforcement.
Oregon’s Push for Immigrant Legal Aid
As of July 2025, Oregon stands out as one of the few states taking bold steps to protect immigrants’ rights. The legislature is considering the full 2025 Immigrant Justice Package, which includes a large budget request for universal legal representation. This means that any immigrant in Oregon who faces deportation or wants to adjust their status could get a lawyer, regardless of their ability to pay.
A coalition of nearly 100 advocates, immigrants, and lawmakers, including Rep. Lesly Muñoz (D-Woodburn), has pushed hard for this funding. They argue that with federal support gone and immigration enforcement rising, Oregon must step in to keep families together and ensure fair treatment. “Immigrants are essential to Oregon’s communities and economy,” Rep. Muñoz said, urging the legislature to act quickly.
Why the Urgency? Federal Funding Cuts Hit Hard
The need for state action became urgent after the Department of Homeland Security ended grants to key nonprofits in March 2025. Organizations like Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Immigration Counseling Service lost federal funding overnight. These groups had provided free or low-cost legal help to thousands of immigrants each year. Without this support, many immigrants risk facing court alone, which can lead to mistakes, missed deadlines, or even wrongful deportation.
What’s in the 2025 Immigrant Justice Package?
The 2025 Immigrant Justice Package is a set of proposals designed to help immigrants in Oregon. The most important part is the request for $15 million in new state funding for legal aid. This money would:
- Provide universal legal representation for immigrants facing deportation or seeking to adjust their status. In the first two years of the program, over 12,000 Oregonians received help.
- Replace lost federal funding so that nonprofits can keep their doors open and serve more people.
- Support farmworker disaster relief, emergency rent assistance, Indigenous language access, and expanded food aid for immigrant families.
Two bills, Senate Bill 703 and House Bill 2543, are at the heart of this effort:
- Senate Bill 703 would send $6 million from the state’s general fund to legal aid, with a focus on DACA recipients (young people brought to the United States 🇺🇸 as children), people eligible for DACA, and special immigrant visa holders from Iraq and Afghanistan.
- House Bill 2543 would expand the Oregon State Bar’s Legal Services Program, making sure immigration legal services continue and grow during the 2025-2027 period.
Who Supports the Funding—and Who Has Concerns?
Support for the Immigrant Justice Package comes from many sides. Labor unions like SEIU 503, led by President Johnny Earl, have spoken out, saying, “All Oregonians deserve dignity and access to resources, no matter where they were born.” Nonprofits and legal providers, including Equity Corps of Oregon, Catholic Charities, and the Oregon Law Center, have joined the call, warning that without more funding, thousands could lose access to legal help.
Some Republican lawmakers support targeted aid for groups like DACA recipients and Afghan or Iraqi special visa holders but worry about the cost and scope of universal legal aid. They argue that state funds are limited and must also support other vulnerable groups, such as seniors or people with disabilities.
How Does Legal Aid Work for Immigrants in Oregon?
Legal aid for immigrants in Oregon is delivered through a network of nonprofits and legal service providers. Here’s how the process usually works:
- Contact a Legal Aid Provider: Immigrants can reach out to organizations such as Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO), Catholic Charities, or the Oregon Law Center.
- ECO Intake Line: 1-888-274-7292 (Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm)
- In-person Intake: Available at multiple locations statewide; check provider websites for details.
- Eligibility Screening: Applicants share their income and case details to see if they qualify for free or low-cost help.
- Assignment to a Legal Provider: Eligible people are matched with a lawyer or trained representative who can help with applications, court hearings, or other immigration matters.
- Ongoing Support: Legal providers guide clients through every step, from preparing paperwork to representing them in court or on appeal.
For more information on legal aid services and eligibility, the Oregon State Bar Legal Services Program offers up-to-date resources and contact details.
Who Benefits from Expanded Legal Aid?
The expanded funding will help a wide range of immigrants in Oregon:
- DACA recipients and those eligible for DACA: Young people who came to the United States 🇺🇸 as children and need help renewing their status or applying for protection.
- Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders: People who worked with the United States 🇺🇸 military or government and face danger in their home countries.
- Asylum seekers: People fleeing violence or persecution who need help applying for protection.
- Families facing deportation: Parents, children, and others who risk being separated from loved ones.
- Immigrants seeking citizenship or lawful status: Those who want to become permanent residents or citizens but need help with complex paperwork.
Economic and Social Impact
Legal aid for immigrants doesn’t just help individuals—it benefits the whole state. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, every $1 Oregon spends on immigration legal help brings nearly $5 in financial benefit to people and the community. This includes:
- Lower public costs: When immigrants have lawyers, they’re less likely to end up in costly detention or need emergency services.
- More economic activity: Immigrants who get legal status can work, pay taxes, and contribute to local businesses.
- Stronger families: Legal help keeps families together, reducing the social and emotional costs of separation.
Background: Oregon’s Leadership on Immigrant Rights
Oregon has a history of leading on immigrant rights. In 2018, the state launched the Equity Corps of Oregon, one of the first programs in the United States 🇺🇸 to offer universal legal representation for immigrants. Since then, Oregon has expanded state funding in response to changing federal policies and growing need.
But federal support has always been unstable. The most recent cuts in March 2025 forced Oregon to rely almost entirely on state resources. The Oregon State Bar Legal Services Program now coordinates most legal aid, working with groups like the Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon.
Multiple Perspectives: What Are People Saying?
- Advocates and Immigrant Communities: They say expanded funding is about fairness and due process. “No one should have to face deportation alone,” said a spokesperson for Equity Corps of Oregon. They also point to the economic and social benefits of keeping families together.
- Fiscal Conservatives: Some lawmakers worry about the cost, especially with other needs in the state. They support targeted aid but question whether universal representation is the best use of funds.
- Legal Providers: Lawyers and nonprofits stress that immigration law is very complicated. Without expert help, people can make mistakes that lead to delays, denials, or even deportation.
How Can Immigrants Get Help? Step-by-Step Guide
If you or someone you know needs legal aid in Oregon, here’s what to do:
- Step 1: Contact a Provider
- Call the Equity Corps of Oregon intake line at 1-888-274-7292 (Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm).
- Visit a local office of Catholic Charities or the Oregon Law Center.
- Step 2: Eligibility Screening
- Share your income and case details to see if you qualify for free or low-cost help.
- Step 3: Get Matched
- If eligible, you’ll be assigned a lawyer or trained representative.
- Step 4: Ongoing Support
- Your legal provider will help with paperwork, court hearings, and appeals.
For more details, visit the Oregon State Bar Legal Services Program website.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead for Oregon’s Legal Aid
The fate of the $15 million funding request will be decided in the current legislative session. Advocates are hopeful, but lawmakers are also looking closely at the budget. If the funding is approved, Oregon could expand legal aid to more people, hire more staff, and reach underserved communities.
If not, many fear that thousands of immigrants could lose access to legal help, putting families and communities at risk. The outcome will shape the future of immigrant legal services in Oregon for years to come.
Important Things to Remember
- Federal funding for immigrant legal aid in Oregon ended in March 2025. State funding is now the main source for these services.
- The $15 million funding request is still pending. The legislature will decide soon.
- Eligibility and service availability may change. Immigrants should contact providers directly for the latest information.
Official Contacts and Resources
- Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO): 1-888-274-7292 | ECO Navigating Organizations
- Oregon Law Center: Contact via Oregon Law Help
- Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services: (503) 542-2855 | Catholic Charities Oregon
- Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement: OIRA Website
- Oregon State Bar Legal Services Program: OSB LSP
Conclusion: Oregon at a Crossroads
Oregon’s decision on legal aid for immigrants will have real consequences for thousands of families. With federal support gone, the state’s investment is more important than ever. Lawmakers, advocates, and community members agree that immigrants are a vital part of Oregon’s future. The question now is whether the state will step up to ensure everyone has access to justice, no matter where they were born.
For immigrants in Oregon, the message is clear: help is available, but the future of these services depends on what happens in the legislature this year. Stay informed, reach out for support, and watch for updates as Oregon decides the next steps for legal aid and immigrant rights.
Learn Today
Immigrant Justice Package → A legislative proposal funding legal aid and support services for immigrants in Oregon starting in 2025.
DACA → Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protecting young immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) → A visa for certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals who assisted the US government or military.
Universal Legal Representation → Providing legal counsel for all immigrants facing deportation or status adjustment, regardless of income.
Oregon State Bar Legal Services Program → A state-run program coordinating legal aid for immigrants through nonprofit organizations statewide.
This Article in a Nutshell
Oregon plans to invest $15 million in 2025 for universal immigrant legal aid after federal cuts. This funding supports deportation defense, status adjustments, and community stability through expanded legal services aimed at protecting vulnerable immigrants and promoting justice statewide.
— By VisaVerge.com
