In Jackson County, farmworker and immigrant rights group prepares for shifting immigration policies

About 120,000 immigrants lacking permanent legal status live in Oregon, according to a 2022 estimate from the Pew Research Center. The state has sanctuary laws in place, meaning that state and local resources are not used for federal immigration enforcement. Law enforcement officials in places including Marion, Polk and Jackson counties have told local media outlets they will continue to follow state laws on immigration enforcement. 

Still, immigrant communities face uncertainty as policies change at the federal level. Kathy Keesee is a program coordinator for Unete, a nonprofit in Jackson County that advocates for agricultural workers and immigrants. She joins us with details. 

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