Timeline

Important Events Affecting Immigrant Workers

 

  • 1994: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) approved by Congress

Helped accelerate migration from Mexico to U. S.

https://www.klcc.org/economy-business/2013-12-02/20-years-later-naftas-dramatic-impact-on-oregon

  • 2000: AFL-CIO Endorses Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants

Historic resolution reverses longstanding labor policy to support immigrant worker rights and union organization

https://aflcio.org/resolution/nation-immigrants

  • 2000: VOZ Worker Rights Education Project established

New organization created to promote rights and interests of day laborers in the Portland area

https://portlandvoz.org/who-we-are/our-mission

  • 2003: Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride occurs

Inspired by Freedom Rides of civil rights movement, immigrants and their allies take nationwide bus ride to lobby for legal status for undocumented workers

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/us/riding-across-america-for-immigrant-workers.html

  • 2004: Career Pathways program launched in Oregon

New program begins at five Oregon community colleges that connects education and training to boost career opportunities in high demand industries and occupations

https://www.oregon.gov/highered/institutions-programs/ccwd/Pages/career-pathways.aspx

  • 2007: Career Pathways program expands Program extended to all of Oregon’s community colleges

https://www.mhcc.edu/careerpathways/

  • 2008: Martin Luther King, Jr. Workers Center established by Voz

With support from city of Portland, Voz creates worker center that was first of its kind in Oregon

https://portlandvoz.org/hire-a-worker/how-it-works

  • 2020: Oregon Workers Relief Fund created

Public-private collaboration provides direct financial assistance to immigrant workers

https://workerrelief.org/

  • 2021: Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement created by Oregon legislature

New office created to promote immigrant and refugee advancement and integration

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/06/23/oregon-lawmakers-approve-creation-of-new-office-to-support-immigrants-refugees/

  • 2022: Overtime payments for farm workers approved by Oregon legislature

Oregon becomes eighth state to approve overtime payments for farm workers

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/04/19/oregon-governor-kate-brown-signs-farmworker-overtime-pay-bill/