Racial Profiling In Oregon Rejected

City officials of Willamina, Oregon were lobbying for a new city ordinance that would have enforced an “illegal alien-free zone”. Under this ordinance, law enforcers within the city limits would have been allowed to ask anyone that they felt was suspect to prove their citizenship. In essence, drivers could have been pulled over just for being brown or black. Many locals of Willamina felt that this ordinance was necessary, as immigrant workers are “taking away job opportunities for our own US people” and that this new law would have “kept us safe”.

Safe from what? I don’t understand how singling people out based on the color of their skin can solve any problems. In fact, it only creates more unrest and divides among the community. Many opposed this idea and it was unanimously voted down at a special city council meeting, as it would greatly have contributed to racial profiling. A local from Willamina said, “My husband is brown, my kids are brown and I’m really scared if it will cause them to be targets if it passes.” Thankfully, this local and many others can rest easy tonight. Willamina would have been the first city in the country to legalize racial profiling.