

Caption: Local elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates came together at Centro Cultural for the Oregon for All press conference, standing united in the face of recent ICE activity and escalating anti-immigrant rhetoric.“We are not agents of ICE—we are agents of the community,” said Councilor Angeles Godinez, reminding everyone that fear and intimidation have no place in our neighborhoods.
Her words reflected the tone of the event, where speakers shared deeply personal stories of migration, discrimination, and resilience.Throughout the press conference, leaders reaffirmed Oregon’s sanctuary state law, which prohibits local and state employees from participating in immigration enforcement.
They encouraged community members to know their rights, report inappropriate ICE activity, and continue standing in solidarity across differences.Speakers also emphasized that immigrants and refugees are essential to the fabric of Oregon, bringing strength, culture, and vital contributions to every part of the state. Executive Director Maria Caballero Rubio reinforced this, stating, “Centro has always stood for dignity, equity, and justice—today is no different.”
The event concluded with a resource overview by ACLU of Oregon, ensuring that impacted families have access to legal support, reporting tools, and crisis resources. The key message was clear: community protection begins with awareness, allyship, and unity.
Save and share these important resources:
ICE Activity Hotline: 1-888-622-1510
(Portland Immigration Rights Coalition)
Legal Help: 888-274-7292
(Equity Corps of Oregon)
Bias Response Hotline: 1-844-924-BIAS
The post ultimately received 30+ shares and 160 likes organically on Instagram—a strong level of engagement for a nonprofit with a modest following.
More importantly, it reinforced community trust and the organization mission and vulues while staying aligned with our broader communications strategy.
The press release I edited was picked up by four local news outlets, amplifying the organization’s position during a critical public conversation on DEI initiatives. While the goal wasn’t follower growth, the coverage helped elevate the nonprofit as a trusted voice, ensured the messaging reflected our values, and maintained strong relationships with partners.
By framing the narrative around unity and resilience rather than fear, the release and supporting social media post provided accurate information, highlighted community voices, and offered resources for immigrant families.