Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Episode Transcript

Transcript edited by Hannah “Asher” Sham

Disclaimer

Kylo: You are listening to let’s Talk! Let’s Talk!, is a digital space for students at PCC experiencing disabilities to share their perspectives, ideas, and worldviews in an inclusive and accessible environment. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Portland Community College PCC Foundation, or our community partners. We broadcast on our home website, pcc.edu/dca, on Spotify, on XRAY, 91.1 FM and 107.1 FM, and KBOO Community Radio, 90.7 FM.

Show Intro & Guest Introduction

Asher: Hello, Let’s Talk! listeners! Welcome back to the show! Today’s episode is especially important for our community here in Portland, Oregon. Over the past few years, we’ve seen heightened conversations around immigration enforcement involving federal agents operating in cities like Portland. Sometimes masked, and sometimes not clearly identified, and sometimes leaving community members confused or afraid, especially those of us with disabilities. This topic may induce triggering themes. As always, listeners’ discretion is advised as we delve into this topic. This episode is informational only. It’s not legal advice and laws change and individual situations can vary. Joining me today actually is a special guest from SOAR Immigration Legal Services. Hi! Do you mind introducing yourself and telling me who you are and what you do, to our listeners?

Mercedes: Thanks for having me. My name is Mercedes Riggs and I’m Managing Attorney at SOAR Immigration Legal Services, which is a program of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

Asher: Thank you so much for joining me today. I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to interview with us. 

What ICE Is and Does

Asher: For those unfamiliar, can you explain what immigration and customs enforcements is and what its authority includes?

Mercedes: Sure. So, ICE is Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s a federal agency that enforces immigration laws inside the United States, in Portland and in Oregon. ICE activity is usually around Southwest Portland, near their facilities at McAdam Avenue, and that’s where many detentions happen and where check-ins happen. But, ICE enforcement can be throughout the community as we’re seeing in practice.

ICE vs Local Police

Asher: What legal powers do ICE agents have in comparison to local Police, like the Portland Police Force and other entities like that?

Mercedes: So, they enforce civil immigration law. The Police enforce criminal law. So, they are kind of different bubbles. They might have uniforms that say Police, but they aren’t actually Police. They’re enforcing our civil immigration laws.

Asher: Oh, interesting. And why is it that they don’t wear any kind of badge, or number, in those cases.

Why Identification Matters

Mercedes: That is a good question. I think that they should be wearing badges or numbers for identification, especially. For reasons why regular Police wear badges and numbers, so we can identify them. So, if there’s an action performed by one of ’em, we know who did what and can track that and respond to that accordingly. Especially if there’s cases where they acted inappropriately and we need to be able to identify them. So, I think that- that is something that they’re missing, that we need.

Asher: For sure. Definitely. With that information and with that background, what does your organization do to help with community and inform them about situations like this? What does your organization do?

How SOAR Helps Locally

Mercedes: So, we provide Immigration Legal Services to the community, um, focusing on low income individuals in our community. We help with filing applications with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. We also help people with their immigration removal defense cases with the Portland Immigration Court and with representation at the ICE office. If somebody has an appointment there, then we have staff that will accompany that person to their appointment and help with interacting with ICE on behalf of that client. One thing that we do not do is we don’t represent cases for people that are detained in Tacoma. Just because we don’t have the capacity to help with people that are detained in Tacoma Detention Center. But, we do help with stuff locally.

Asher: So, it’s not statewide. It’s basically Portland?

Mercedes: Portland and Hillsborough. We have an office in Hillsborough as well. So, more local. There’s some aspects of immigration law where we can help with people statewide and remotely. But, for in-person stuff, it’s in the Portland metro area, Hillsborough area.

Asher: Thank you for telling me about that. Yeah, I feel like very important, especially here in Portland where there’s a lot of unrest going on. Under what circumstances can ICE stop, question or detain someone, and do they need a warrant in those cases? Because, they’ve been taken to court, from what I’ve heard. Do they need a warrant and what kind of warrant and whether or not it’s a judicial warrant or administrative warrant. Can you dig deeper into that for us?

Stops Detention and Warrants

Mercedes: So, when they’re out in public, they are allowed to approach people and ask questions. But, if they ask somebody a question, the person doesn’t have to answer. But, to detain somebody, that’s where they need legal authority. So, they need either a warrant signed by a judge– and they definitely need a warrant signed by a judge to enter somebody’s home– and they also have what’s known as an administrative warrant that’s just signed by ICE, that’s not signed by a judge. That administrative warrant allows them to arrest somebody out in public, but it doesn’t allow them to go into somebody’s house. No matter what ICE might say about that, they don’t have legal authority with an administrative warrant to enter into somebody’s house because of the fourth amendment of the Constitution that prevents illegal searches and seizures without a warrant signed by a judge.

Asher: What constitutional right applies to people regardless of immigration status.

Mercedes: Everyone in Oregon, everyone in the United States, whether they’re a citizen or not, has constitutional rights. All of the constitutional rights; that includes the right to remain silent, that includes the right to refuse entry without a judicial warrant, and that includes the right to due process.

Public vs Private Spaces

Asher: Yeah, you did mention that people out in public is different from being in a private area. Can you define those different areas for our listeners? What’s a public spot and what’s a private area and how do those differentiate with each other? As far as, what law enforcement is allowed to do, or what kinds of rights people have in those different kind of areas.

Mercedes: That’s a great question. So, a public space is any space where we generally regard as public, so outside. Generally treated as public too, like if you’re in a shopping mall and not in a private restricted area. Basically any area that is open to anyone, that isn’t firmly demarcated that this is a private area. So, in order to firmly show to ICE and firmly show to anyone that it’s a private area, there needs to be a sign saying this is a private area, restricted access. A private area is basically an area where it’s monitored and where the access to it is only allowed for people with permission into that specific space.

Asher: Interesting. With that, there’s a little bit of gray area, or… Maybe you can correct me on that, as far as gray areas go; are restaurants, cafes, Church buildings, or stuff, are they public areas or are they considered private areas? Because there are some places that say ICE is not allowed in these areas, or other things.

Churches and Gray Areas

Mercedes: So, I’ll go to churches for example. Traditionally churches were treated as protected spaces and they’ve, usually, been regarded as protected spaces. With this administration, they do not have that same regard anymore. So, for a church building, for example, the main area where people are congregating, that can be treated differently than if there’s a room with a sign on it saying “private area, access restricted”. So, that’s where I think they, would have a harder argument to say. “They”, meaning “ICE”, would have a harder argument to say that they have the right to go in there. If there’s a door specifically saying that; “this is a private area, can’t go further”, then ICE would definitely need a judicial warrant to go into that space to get somebody. And, if they violate that, then they should be held accountable for that.

Reporting ICE Misconduct

Asher: How do they get held accountable, in those situations, where they forcefully enter either a private area, or do a unlawful arrest?

Mercedes: Yeah, so there’s a couple different mechanisms to report that kind of misconduct. If you’re seeing them out in public, or behind closed doors, calling the Sanctuary Promise Hotline; which is 1-844-924-STAY, and 1-844-6-AMPARO in Spanish, or “online@sanctuarypromise.orgen.gov“. The Spanish option is “PromesaSantuario.Oregon.gov”. Could also contact the DHS office for civil rights. There’s also the ICE Office for Professional Responsibility. I think calling “PIRC” would be a good, good idea too, and ACLU of Oregon. Also if it happened in Portland City Limits, then contacting Portland Federal Help, ’cause their office would probably wanna know about that too.

Asher: Thank you so much for providing all that information. I feel like a lot of listeners would find help at least in those different phone numbers to call especially. Do people have to open the door if ICE knocks, especially at their home? Or is it similar situation where if a Police officer knocks on their door, they have the right to ask these questions and not open the door.

When ICE Knocks at Home

Mercedes: They don’t have to open the door. Not unless ICE shows a judicial warrant with that person’s name and address, or somebody that lives there, their name and address. So, what they should say is, “show me your warrant. Slide it under the door.”. Don’t open the door, because then they might try to push their way in. Try to have them either slide it under the door or if there’s a window near the door, then have it hold it up to the window so that people inside can read it. Say that, “if you don’t have a judicial warrant, you’re not allowed to be in here” and “please go away”.

Do Not Sign Documents

Asher: I’ve heard of just different situations of people giving documents for people to sign after, even just like handing them something underneath the door. Can someone refuse to sign documents? And what happens if someone signs something and they don’t understand it?

Mercedes: Yeah, definitely a bad idea to sign something that you don’t understand. So, my advice is to not sign anything without talking to a lawyer first. I can’t reiterate that enough; don’t sign something that you don’t understand. Because signing something could cause you to accidentally waive your rights. People have the right to an attorney and immigration courts don’t provide you one for free, but you still have the right to talk to one. There are resources and attorneys available in the area that are low cost and possibly free depending on if they have funding to provide those Services. But, definitely, definitely, definitely talk to an attorney first before signing anything.

Right to an Attorney

Asher: So, we do have a right to an attorney during immigration proceedings, or even during detainment? Is that right?

Mercedes: Yes, people have the right to an attorney. They don’t have the right to have one provided by the government, like in criminal court. There are organizations that can provide those Services and give people access to those Services. But, again, the government doesn’t provide one. It’s something that people have to seek out themselves to get. If somebody’s detained, they can and they should call an attorney. It would be a really good idea for anybody that is fearing that they might be detained, to talk to an attorney ahead of time to at least know what their rights are and to be prepared for the worst case scenario. So, that if the worst case happens, then they’re ready and they know what to do already and they’re not scrambling.

Disability Rights and ADA

Asher: Yeah, with that; Let’s Talk!, As a part of the Accessibility Education Department and we here at PCC are very big on disability as well, so wanting to tie that all in together. How does disability law intersect with immigration enforcement?

Mercedes: Disabled people have the same rights as, as anywhere else. But, there are local advocates that can help if ICE fails to provide accommodations. Organizations like Disability Rights, Oregon, and there’s also a lot of private attorneys that can help too.

Asher: Are ICE agents required to provide accommodations under the American With Disabilities Act, or the ADA, basically.

Mercedes: Yes, because they’re federal agency, they must provide reasonable accommodations including interpreters, mobility support, and communication access.

Asher: And, for people with disabilities, should they be carrying documentation of their disability around? I feel like that’s what it comes down to now, especially with so many invisible disabilities too and such.

Mercedes: It can help, especially if that disability isn’t visible. If somebody’s carrying a Disability Right Card, I think, would be helpful.

Accommodations by Disability

Asher: I want to go down the list of what kind of protections exist for, each kind of disabilities. First off, just Deaf or hard of hearing individuals. Can you give some like insight to that? Yeah.

Mercedes: Yes, for Deaf or hard of hearing people, they have a right to qualified an interpreter.

Asher: What about people with an intellectual disabilities?

Mercedes: They have the right to clear communication and to support.

Asher: People with mobility impairments, especially those with like wheelchair or unable to move around properly, or can’t necessarily put their hands up whenever they’re instructed to do so.

Mercedes: Yeah, they have the right to accessible transport and to safe handling. If they can’t put their hands up, then they should communicate that and make it clear that they aren’t able to move. To explain that they’re disabled and can’t put their hands up or explain what their physical limitations are. If I think it would be a good idea for them to have a card on them so that the ICE agent in easily accessible so that the ICE agent can see that.

Asher: And what happens, if a person cannot comply quickly due to a disability like you were saying.

Documenting and Recording Safely

Mercedes: For them to continue to try to communicate the reasons why they’re not able to comply with what the ICE officer is asking them to do, and to definitely document the interaction. Whether or not somebody’s with them or they themselves are recording on their phone. If they’re not able to record on their phone, then to document the interaction and like when they get home and write it down, so that it can be reported.

Asher: Yeah. With that, there are many stories and probably also just many videos on the internet of people trying to document and then their phones getting slapped away, or something like that. What should you do in those situations? There are different sides to it. I’m protecting myself so I should shove back, which I feel like that’s a really bad idea too, but what’s the good idea in those situations?

Mercedes: I think in those situations it’s hard because people do have the right to try to protect themselves. Try to document in a way that wouldn’t “offend”– the ICE officer. So, not having a phone right in their face, having it more closer to the recorder, the person reporting, and also just continuing to write down, or document, and make a record in saying, “I’m recording this because I have the right to record the interaction and I’m doing this for my own protection, so that we can be clear about what happened on this day.”.

Panic Sensory Overload Tips

Asher: What should a disabled person do if they’re experiencing sensory overload or panic episode during an encounter like that? Because, it’s scary and a lot of students just been on the lookout everywhere for any sort of sign of different kind of cars or just special vehicles that ICE drives, apparently? What should disabled people do if they’re experiencing that and starting to panic and everything? What can we do? 

Mercedes: One idea would be for them to say, “I need a moment because of my disability.” If they have maybe a support card, having that ready and be clear about the fact that they have a disability and just keep on repeating themselves. “I have a disability. I need a moment.”

Staying Safe in Encounters

Asher: What are some best practices for staying safe during an encounter like that? If we do end up encountering like ICE agents?

Mercedes: I know this is like easier said than done, but try to stay calm. Again, asserting your rights. Just keep on repeating your rights, avoid sudden movements, so try to be as still as you can and move as slowly as you can, keep your hand visible, and have your rights card handy. You might’ve seen the red cards floating around, so having that handy to help remind yourself. But, just generally if you’re going to be moving at all, explaining what you’re doing, and asking for permission. Especially, if you’re gonna put your hands in your pocket to get something. Saying, “I am putting my hands in my pocket to get out my ID.”, Or maybe asking for permission ahead of time before even doing that going, “Hey, I would like to get my ID out for you. Can I get that for you?”, and asking permission ahead of time, so that if you have a jumpy ICE officer. That they know what’s going on and you get permission from them, so everything’s clear and to keep yourself as safe as possible in those interactions.

Where to Get “Know Your Rights” Cards

Asher: You mentioned those rights cards. Where can our listeners find those rights cards to print out or even to give out to people, just in case?

Mercedes: Ilrc.org has them in multiple different languages. You can order them off their website and ACLU also has cards too, and you can print them out too if you don’t wanna order it. You can just print out what they have. They have versions where you can print it out and you can just fold it up and put it in your wallet.

Asher: Yeah, thanks for giving that resource for us. Definitely will place it at the bottom of our website. 

If Agents Enter Without Warrant

Asher: How should someone respond if agents try to enter without a warrant?

Mercedes: They should say through the door, “I don’t consent to entry”, and they should call the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition, PIRC. Call their hotline at (888) 622-1510.

Asher: Can they call immediately? Like during that moment?

Mercedes: Yes, for sure. Yes.

Asher: And, they will probably tell them what to do and such. Right?

Mercedes: Exactly. They can help coach them through the interaction.

Handling Threats and Intimidation

Asher: What if they threaten arrest or deportation, immediately? Those kinds of encounters I feel like are quite a bit, and it’s very scary to just hear that and be like, “oh, shoot! What do I do?”.

Mercedes: Keep on repeating, “I choose to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer.”. Threats don’t remove somebody’s rights. So, they can threaten all they want. But, again, it’s easier said than done to try to stay calm. But, keep on repeating that you have rights and you have the right to remain silent. And, again, saying that you want to speak to a lawyer. There’s nothing that bothers me more than when I watch like a movie, or something, and somebody starts talking to law enforcement without their lawyer present. I’m going, “no! No!”

Asher: “Don’t do that!”

Mercedes: “Don’t do it! It’s a trap!”

Asher: “It’s a trap!” Yeah. Listeners, please don’t learn from movies about how to speak to local law enforcement. You have rights, and don’t just speak to them on a whim! 

How to Document Misconduct

Asher: Immediately after the encounter, and I know you talked a little bit about it too; who to call as well as how to file complaints. How do we document misconduct, in situations like that. I don’t even know how to start with that. Where do you write it down, or who do you even tell, and is there a proper procedure to document misconduct in situations like that?

Mercedes: So, somebody should take notes right away while the details are fresh in your memory. Recording all the details that you remember, like that for the officer, their name, if you got one, their badge number, if they happen to wear one. ICE doesn’t wear badges, but maybe they will start one day. I don’t know. If you saw their vehicle documenting what kind of vehicle and if you could see any license plate information, details on what the officer was wearing, like what color uniform they were wearing, if you noticed any special badges on them. Also record down the date, the time, the exact location, describe what happened, if there were any witnesses there, try to record down the names of the witnesses and the contact information for the witnesses, and try to take photos or videos. But, don’t interfere with the officers. Again, the best practices these days, as we’re seeing is, if at all possible, try to take photos or videos. Then to call the PIRC hotline after and to call a trusted person or, if that person has like an attorney, call them.

Rapid Response Support Networks

Asher: What other organizations provide rapid response support? I know you mentioned one during the encounter of who to call, but maybe even after the fact. After we get to a safe location, who can we call? For rapid response and just support or even during that situation as well.

Mercedes: Yeah. So, PIRC is like the number one, I think on the list. But, besides them, there’s a couple organizations that provide rapid response support in Portland. Innovation Law Lab is one. I think the Clear Clinic also o offers rapid response support, or if that person has their own private attorney lined up that they’ve been in contact with before; calling them up, I think, would be a good idea.

Asher: I feel like it’s very important, especially in those situations to have support. Especially those of us with disabilities. Like you were saying, it’s easier said than done in those situations to remain calm, to state your rights, move as slowly as possible, and say everything very clearly. Especially in those encounters and such.

Mercedes: It might be a good idea to practice those interactions, so that somebody could feel more prepared and just practicing things like you might practice other things in your life. Then it might become more of a muscle memory and easier to do when you’re actually in the moment.

Legal Community Monitoring

Asher: How can communities legally observe or monitor enforcement activities? I’ve seen a lot of different kind of observations around like statewide, especially like Portland, Minnesota, and such. People recording and people trying to make a website online that says “this is where ICE agents are. Keep an eye out!”. 

Mercedes: Yeah. People can record from a safe distance. I am not like a super brave person, so I would probably be recording out in a window, far away. I admire the people that are braver and that will be down there on the street. But, I’ll be poking through the blinds on the window, recording. But, there are, Portland area, in Oregon, rapid response volunteers that are trained to observe without interfering. Like the volunteers with PIRC.

More Ways to Report Abuse

Asher: What mechanisms exist to report misconduct? Just going back to the whole idea of reporting an encounter, and such.

Mercedes: The Sanctuary Promise Hotline is available, ACLU of Oregon, Portland Federal Help for the Portland area, or Portland City limit, Interactions. Also the ICE office for professional responsibility. I don’t feel like much of us trust ICE right now. I don’t trust ICE.

Asher: Yeah, no. 

Mercedes: I think procedurally it would be a good idea to still report to that agency, maybe one day, in the future for another administration that has the idea to actually hold people responsible in mind. For them to be aware of and to, possibly, do something about. These days, I feel like some trust from them, from ICE, would be earned, by me, if officers wore badges with their identifying information and showed their faces. That’s what makes me particularly distrustful if I can’t identify somebody and can’t see their face. Automatically the suspicions are added. Why are you hiding? What is there to hide? If you’re doing something that you are supposed to be doing, then you shouldn’t be afraid of identifying yourself.

Asher: Definitely showing badge number or showing at least like legal ID and showing your face. Don’t mask up your face. I want to be able to see who you are! 

Mercedes: Exactly! Yeah. 

Protecting Vulnerable Neighbors

Asher: How can people legally protect vulnerable community members in situations like, Low income or people with disabilities and such. What’s legally allowed in protection? 

Mercedes: “Know Your Rights” trainings are great and some organizations have trainings. To train the trainer so that people can spread the word about people’s rights. Another good idea that I think anybody that fears being detained or deported should do is have a safety plan. Oregon Law Center I think has a safety plan on their website; a packet that you can download and fill out and give a copy to a trusted person, so that they have that information. Because, for anybody, a safety plan is a good idea. We should have a plan for what happens if the worst happens. I have kids, we have a plan for what happens if there’s a disaster. There’s all sorts of things that we should be preparing for in life. In case, the big earthquake hits; we need to be prepared for that. This is no different. People should have a safety plan in case they’re detained so that their affairs can be put in order. Another good idea is disability accommodation cards. Helping people with that and distributing that and making sure that people with disabilities have those in case they need them. Then also connecting with the rapid response networks that I mentioned, like PIRC. Helping people with accessing that. If somebody comes to another person with a legal question helping to connect that person with a qualified immigration attorney. Because there’s a lot of scammers out there.

Asher: There are, yes.

Mercedes: And there’s people, unfortunately, taking advantage of people in this situation and taking advantage of people’s fears. It just makes me so mad, because sometimes these scammers put people in an even worse situation. So, for sure, helping people contact a qualified attorney and you can look up and see if somebody is qualified by looking on the Oregon State Bar website directory. Or, since immigration is federal, immigration lawyers might be licensed to practice in another state. So, maybe trying to Google them and just confirming that they’re licensed at least somewhere.

Finding Trusted Legal Help

Asher: Yeah. Do you have any links for us? As far as, looking for a legal attorney, or at least an immigration attorney and those that can speak different languages.

Mercedes: Portland.gov has some information about connecting to attorneys and people can connect to Equity Corps of Oregon, which has access to panel attorneys that can help out. 

Asher: Would you say that’s like the main website you should go to, to look for an attorney?

Mercedes: Yeah. There’s multiple nonprofits in the area that provide immigration legal services for, either, free or for low cost. Besides going through “ECHO”, there’s organizations like “Mines” or Immigration Legal Services. There’s “Clear Clinic“, “Luther Community Services Northwest“, “IRCO Immigration Counseling Services”. There’s Catholic Charities. I’m trying to think of anyone else that I’m missing, but those are like some of the main ones here in Portland.

Asher: We’ll definitely add those links as well for our listeners who need help, and just need legal counsel, and just to ask all those important questions in those situations. 

Policy Reforms and Transparency

Asher: Do you know what policy reforms are currently being debated regarding enforcement transparency? And we did mention a few, wearing legal badge, having a name and legal badge number or uncovering the face. Do you know if there’s any other debates being made in regards to enforcement transparency?

Mercedes: I know the Legislative session just wrapped up last week. And the bill for no masks is going to the governor’s desk, I believe soon. No masks for law enforcement. That is House Bill 4138.

If Someone Is Detained

Asher: What should someone do if a family member, friend or other community member that they know is detained and they need to find what facility the individual are being held in? Who can they call? What can they do if, for example, I have a friend that was detained and they were brought to a facility. What can I do to know what is happening? 

Mercedes: You can look on ICE’s Online Detainee Locator. That detainee locator, I feel like it’s not exactly in real time. It’s a little bit delayed. So, if somebody looks up somebody on the website and they know their friend, or loved one, was detained an hour ago and somebody’s not popping up on the website yet. It’s because of that delay. They can try calling the ICE Field Office, in Southwest Portland, to see and they can confirm if they have somebody. It’s hard sometimes, because of those delays and that causes a lot of anxiety. I know, for people, it’s not easy to track somebody. So, I can see how that would definitely be stressful for people not knowing, having that delay for an hour or two as that information is being added online. But yeah, trying the online locator, calling the office, and also contacting PIRC. PIRC might be able to help and track down where that person is.

Asher: Yeah. Is ICE legally required to record the person’s name that they detain? I don’t know if there’s situations where the name just never shows up and just the person’s lost in the system.

Mercedes: Yeah, they have to gather that information and they’re supposed to be able to provide that information, so people can locate people. They can’t just disappear people.

Asher: Really appreciate you giving all these details and resources for us, Mercedes. Really appreciate it. 

Contacting SOAR and Office Hours

Asher: Last but not least, how can listeners reach out to your organization if they need help or want to know more on how to stay safe and what their legal rights are and everything?

Mercedes: They can call our office at (503) 384-2482. They can also email us at “soarlegal@emoregon.org“. Email, I think, is the best way to get a hold of us since we’re so busy and the phone is ringing off the hook. Sometimes it takes a while to get through to a human on the phone. So, email would be probably the best way to get hold of us to schedule a consultation.

Asher: Awesome. And are we allowed to come visit at your offices, or is it better to email first if you really want to see a physical person.

Mercedes: So, visiting is great. We welcome that. We are open to the public on Monday afternoons from one to four, then Tuesday through Thursday from eight to four, but closed during lunch, and we are closed on Friday.

Asher: Awesome. Thank you so much, Mercedes once again for joining me on this interview and giving all this insight, especially on the legalities of ICE, what to do to stay safe, and also know our rights. Appreciate you.

Mercedes: You’re welcome, Asher. It’s been a pleasure.

Asher: Thank you.

Mercedes: Thank you.

“The New Colossus” Poem Reading

Asher: You’re listening to Let’s Talk!. That was Mercedes from Soar Legal Immigration Services. Joining me on an interview on disability and immigrant rights. Coming up is a short poem called The New Colossus. It’s a sonnet by Emma Lazarus, written in 1883, to raise funds for the statue of Liberty’s pedestal, famously welcoming immigrants with the lines; “Give me your tired. You’re poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”. The poem contrasts the statue with the ancient colossus of roads, presenting it as a mother of exiles, holding a beacon of hope and its words were inscribed on a plaque inside the pedestal, in 1903, becoming a powerful symbol of America’s promise to immigrants. This poem is spoken by Ash DeHart.

Ash DeHart: “Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, with conquering limbs, a stride from land to land; Here at our sea washed, sunset gate shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, who’s flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon hand glows worldwide welcome; her mild eyes command the airbridge harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

 Outro

Asher: Thank you for listening to Let’s Talk!. Portland Community College’s broadcast about disability culture. Find more information and resources concerning this episode and others at pcc.edu/dca. This episode was produced by the Let’s Talk Podcast collective as a collaborative effort between students, the Accessible Education and Disability Resource Department, and the PCC multimedia department. We air new episodes on our home website, our Spotify Channel, XRAY, 91.1 FM and 107.1 FM, and KBOO Radio, 90.7 FM.