Oregon voters may have overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have provided driver cards to Oregonians who cannot prove their legal residency, but proponents of the measure haven’t given up hope.
At Monday’s Hermiston Hispanic Advisory Committee meeting, Chairman Eddie de la Cruz talked about the results of Ballot Measure 88, which failed to pass on Nov. 4, with about 66 percent of voters opposing the measure.
“The sad news is the driver cards didn’t get passed,” de la Cruz said. “But we’re going to keep on trying.”
In the meantime, de la Cruz said attention will now turn to President Obama and his plans to sign an executive order that would protect up to 5 million people from deportation and provide work permits for many of them.
“We’re hoping he’ll sign an executive order for work permits,” he said. “It won’t be for all 11 million people we know are here – mostly people who are married to U.S. citizens or who have family here, which will cover about 3 to 5 million people.”
Committee member Jesus Rome talked about January’s Martin Luther King Jr. march in Hermiston set for Jan. 19.
“It’s a great event,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get more participants to help bring awareness to our community and celebrate this amazing man.”
Rome said volunteers are also needed to help organize the march.
“Usually it’s only two to three people doing all the work,” Rome said. “We’d love to have more people and families involved.”
To help out with the march, call Carol Johnson at 541-720-4295.
The Hispanic Advisory Committee meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Hermiston City Hall. There will be no meeting in December.
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