Oregon lawmakers vote to extend DACA protections

The Oregon House gave final legislative passage Saturday to two bills to extend protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in Oregon.

“For the thousands of Dreamers who call Oregon home, it is important for us to do everything we can to make sure they are welcome and able to thrive,” said Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland). “These Oregonians deserve certainty in their situation, and the chance to have an equal opportunity as their peers.”

In addition to making Oregon’s driver’s license Real ID compliant, House Bill 4111 allows current DACA recipients and those with temporary protected status who have existing Oregon driver’s licenses to renew those licenses while Congress debates how to move forward, Oregon House Democrats said in a news release on the two bills.

This would allow DMV to issue limited term, two-year drivers’ licenses to DACA recipients whose DACA protections have expired and already have a driver’s license or permit. DMV would not have the ability to issue new licenses.

“Ensuring that these Oregonians are able to keep the important documentation that allows them to do everyday tasks, is vital,” said Rep. Susan McLain (D-Forest Grove) who carried the bill on the floor. “I am glad we were able to extend this protection.”

Senate Bill 1563 , sponsored by 25 members of the Oregon House and Senate, removes the requirement that undocumented students apply for an official federal identification document to be eligible for resident tuition at public universities. It also affords Oregon Health and Science University the ability to exempt undocumented students from non-resident tuition rates.

“This legislation provides a simple and necessary assurance to those students in our state who are working hard to achieve their American dream,” said Rep. Brian Clem (D-Salem), who carried the bill on the floor. “Every Oregonian should have the same opportunity to receive in-state tuition. This is the right thing to do for Oregon.”

The legislation builds on legislation passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2013 granting in-state tuition to DACA students.

The DACA program was created in 2012 under the Obama Administration. It directed the Department of Homeland Security to defer action on individuals who: entered the United States before they were 16; have continuously lived in the United States for at least five years; are students, GED recipients or honorably discharged veterans; and are younger than 30, among other things.

House Bill 4111 and Senate Bill 1563 both passed 36-21 in the House and now go to Gov. Kate Brown.