Medford, OR – The Oregon Senate has passed a landmark piece of legislation aimed at protecting immigrant tenants from discrimination based on their immigration status. Senate Bill 599, described by supporters as a “moral imperative,” was approved on Monday and is now headed to the Oregon House for further consideration.
The bill prohibits landlords from asking about or disclosing a tenant’s immigration status, closing a gap in existing state law that already prohibits housing discrimination based on national origin or race. While the legislation is part of a broader effort to strengthen protections for immigrants, it also comes in response to Oregon’s ongoing housing crisis, which has left nearly 23,000 residents homeless and many more struggling to afford rent or mortgages.
Senator Wlnsvey Campos, a Democrat from Aloha and the bill’s primary sponsor, introduced the measure as a step toward a more inclusive and just Oregon. “Hardworking individuals in our communities who contribute immensely to Oregon’s economy have too often faced the sting of discrimination and exclusion,” Campos said. “They are our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. There are people who deserve the security and safety that a home represents.”
The bill allows tenants to provide identification such as a driver’s license or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of more sensitive documents like a Social Security number or birth certificate. However, landlords are still permitted to ask about immigration status if required by federal programs that provide affordable housing assistance.
The legislation has drawn support from a broad coalition of lawmakers, including several Republicans, who joined 17 Democrats in passing the bill without debate. It now heads to the state House, where it is expected to pass with similar support.
State Representative Ricki Ruiz, co-chair of the Legislature’s BIPOC caucus, also voiced his strong support for the bill during earlier hearings. Ruiz, whose parents immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s, recalled the fear and anxiety his family faced when trying to secure stable housing. “No child should have to carry that weight,” Ruiz said, referring to the fear that immigrant families often experience when trying to find a home.
While supporters of the bill argue that it addresses the emotional toll discrimination can take on immigrant families, some critics have expressed concerns about the potential consequences for landlords. Opponent John Masterman, a Republican who ran for a state House seat in Clackamas County, argued that immigration status is important for landlords who want to ensure tenants comply with housing rules. He wrote in written testimony that individuals who entered the country without legal authorization have already “broken the law” and may not be trustworthy tenants.
However, proponents of the bill have pointed to personal testimonies from immigrant tenants who have faced threats from landlords after asking for basic accommodations. Cameron Herrington, a representative from the Oregon Housing Alliance, shared accounts of tenants who feared requesting repairs or accommodations, worried that their landlords might report them to immigration authorities. Sybill Hebb, the director of legislative advocacy at the Oregon Law Center, echoed these concerns, citing similar experiences from clients of her organization.
The bill builds on Oregon’s long-standing commitment to immigrant protection. Nearly four decades ago, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to pass a sanctuary law prohibiting state and local law enforcement from assisting federal authorities in enforcing immigration law. This new bill, which seeks to expand protections for immigrants in the housing market, reflects the state’s continued efforts to support its diverse communities in the face of federal policies that many view as harmful to immigrant populations.
Oregon is not alone in implementing such protections. At least four other states—California, Washington, Illinois, and New York—have similar laws in place, and the city of Portland passed a similar ordinance in 2019. If the bill passes the Oregon House, it will further solidify the state’s position as a leader in immigrant rights.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the House as it considers the bill, with advocates hopeful that the state will continue to push forward in its efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all its residents.