The Eugene City Council has allocated $50,000 from its contingency fund to support local immigrant communities impacted by federal immigration enforcement efforts. The move aims to provide aid to families whose primary earners have been detained by ICE and prevent them from falling into homelessness.
Councilor Lyndsie Leech introduced the amendment to the city’s 2025-27 supplemental budget, citing the need for quick and nimble funding deployment once staff identify needs on the ground. She emphasized that the contingency fund is not a formal state of emergency declaration but rather a clear statement acknowledging the crisis caused by federal immigration enforcement actions.
The allocation comes after the council directed the city manager to assess the financial needs of local nonprofit agencies supporting immigrants. Eugene has already pledged to be a sanctuary city, meaning it will not use its own resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement.
While some councilors expressed concerns about pulling from reserves due to budget constraints, others acknowledged the need for action and vowed to support the allocation. The $50,000 will be allocated once staff identify specific needs on the ground, and the council will determine how much to distribute based on those identified requirements.
This move marks a step forward in addressing the crisis faced by immigrant communities in Eugene, with some community members expressing relief and gratitude for the city’s commitment.
Source: https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/government-politics/2025/12/09/eugene-sets-aside-funds-for-future-immigrant-community-support