The Struggle Continues Over Immigration Laws in Columbia County

Community members reflect on significance of Anti-Immigrant Ballot Measure and plan next steps.

(SCAPOOSE, Ore.) - Columbia County has been thrust into the public eye statewide after the passage of an anti-immigrant ballot measure last Tuesday. Measure 5-190 intends to impose a $10,000 fine on any employer found to be hiring undocumented immigrants, and require county employers to register with the federal E-Verify program. On Election Day, the vote was split with 57% in favor and 45% against. A local community organization waged a strong grassroots campaign against the measure knowing that the odds were not in their favor. Throughout the last few months, Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity (CCCHD) mobilized over 300 volunteers to have personal conversations with 13,387 of the 28,053 voters in the county. This army of volunteers logged 1,652 volunteer hours, hand-addressed 11,000 postcards, had 26 letters to the editor published in local papers, and prevented a landslide victory of the measure. But, as CCCHD volunteer and campaign co-chair Craig Frasier said, “We know that our work is just beginning. We are not defeated, but much the opposite: our organization is stronger because of this campaign, and we now have hundreds of our neighbors who are ready to do the work that is ahead of us.” A week after the election, CCCHD leader and Director of the Rural Organizing Project, Marcy Westerling of Scappoose reflected on why the measure passed, “We are a rural, working-class community. Similar to communities across the country, we are affected by the economic crisis that we are facing, and confused about what the solution may be. Our government’s lack of leadership with regards to immigration, workers’ rights, and the economy has created fertile grounds for divisive politics and the scapegoating of immigrants.” Ernie Klostermann, a CCCHD volunteer, added that, “We spoke to voters about the economic impacts that this ballot measure would have on our community, which does not have the resources to deal with a poorly written and divisive ballot measure. The economic crisis that we are dealing with should be taken very seriously, but punitive measures that target certain groups in our own community are not the answer.” Next steps for CCCHD involve educating workers and employers about the possible impacts of the measure, mounting legal challenges against it, and supporting the Latino community to develop its own organization in Columbia County capable of offering support to families who have been or may be affected by the passage of this measure. A standing room only community meal of over 200 people started the long term planning process this past Saturday night in Columbia County. This next Saturday, November 15th will kick off the first of a series of trainings for employers. Columbia County plans to stay pro-worker and pro-community as it navigates the impact of a new policy mandate. Source: Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity

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Sanchez November 16, 2008 10:32 am (Pacific time)

Anonymous I agree with you, but there will always be those who don't like how a vote went or how a judical decision went, ergo, they will never accept anything that conflicts with what they want. I have to agree with that attitude, but the best way to resolve an issue under our form of government is to allow for the voter to decide. If one claims there are more rational people than the voters to make the "decision", then they probably know how those so-called "rational" thinkers are going to decide. Ignore these people, they are anti-democracy and do not like our form of government.

Henry Ruark November 15, 2008 10:37 am (Pacific time)

"Anon" et al: Secrecy of vote is fundamental for democracy. BUT anonymous comment falls into "wise to discard" bin on its own, since if writer so fearful or ashamed of stated sentiment that denies any credence or consideration by more rational people.

Anonymous November 15, 2008 8:49 am (Pacific time)

Seems like the Supreme Court of California (and many other state Supreme Courts) ignored the wishes of the people and no doubt will again. This is called fascism people, unless of course you like to have just a few dictate to you on what you must obey? If you fall in that camp, then why have the "vote?"

Henry Ruark November 14, 2008 7:03 pm (Pacific time)

Tascha et al: Attirbution for press release, when the release is rewritten, cited, quoted or otherwise used in somewhat altered form, is standard journalistic practice, which you may not have understood. You wrote:"This initiative complies with the spirit of the Constitution." Don't you think that complex legal judgment should come from the Supreme Court ? I'll venture to predict that action will be forthcoming, on presentation of this one to the current court, but perhaps not decided until that slate may be changed.

Tasha Tchin November 14, 2008 10:52 am (Pacific time)

Funny how the by-line appears at the bottom of the press release instead of at the top. I guess it is better to obscure the author of the open-borders propaganda than credit them outright. The initiative was not "anti-immigrant" as the propagandists at CCCHD would have the reader believe. The initiative was anti-invader, anti-job thief, anti-corrupt employer. No immigrant would be harmed by the initiative since immigrants are allowed to work in this country legally. According to the US Constitution, the only thing invaders are entitled to is to be repelled. This initiative complies with the spirit of the Constitution.

Gary Phillips November 14, 2008 9:44 am (Pacific time)

Voters nationwide may have wanted big changes in Washington, but Arizonans opted to stay the course on the state’s “get-tough” approach to immigration, and they backed the local real estate and construction industries on several ballot initiatives. Voters continue to embrace the get-tough stance when it comes to immigration, including the defeat of Prop. 202. Had it passed, Prop. 202 would have increased penalties on under-the-table businesses and document fraud, but also would have given companies using federal verification systems more outs if caught hiring illegal immigrants. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas both won re-election over opponents who promised a less strident approach to immigration controls. The defeat of 202 means the existing state employer sanctions law stays intact, and the pair can continue their immigration enforcement efforts, including raids on businesses they think are hiring undocumented workers. The economy in Arizona is also doing much better than those states that let illegals run rampant.

Tarmo November 14, 2008 7:49 am (Pacific time)

What's the issue? Is putting Americans and America First a problem? If that bothers you, Please take your version of patriotism to another country.Hyphenated Americans are never loyal to this Country. America, Love it, or Leave it.

LadyM November 14, 2008 6:14 am (Pacific time)

Perhaps instead of trying to circumvent our laws, this organization should be telling the illegal's to find a way to get legal or go home. We do have laws that restrict immgration into our country and any organization that receives funding from our coffers should be charged with aiding and abetting if caught using those funds toward helping illegal's.

tuthbetold November 13, 2008 9:26 pm (Pacific time)

Im curiuos who funds CCCHD,i noticed grants etc on their site,but who funds them?

Citizen November 13, 2008 7:09 pm (Pacific time)

A completely one-sided articlce. Salem-News.com is apparently a PR mouthpiece for pro-invasion groups. They are not to be seen as professional journalists on immigration policy

Says who? I think our decades of combined experience and awards tell another story friend. This story was a news release and it is presented that way, i.e. "Source: Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity". But since you possess the "professional journalist" grade scale, you must know that already.

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The Struggle Continues Over Immigration Laws in Columbia County

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