Quick facts
Portland rolled out Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.15 on January 1, 2026, creating paid “Immigration, Naturalization, and Citizenship Leave.” Eligible city employees can use up to 40 hours per year, paid, for immigration related legal matters for themselves or qualifying family or close associates. The city codes the time as IMLV and keeps the employee on regular payroll while the leave is used.
Who can use it
The leave is available to city workers and may be used not only for the employee but also to support a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or someone with a “close association” like family. In short, it covers the employee and a broad set of people connected to them.
What activities are covered
Allowed uses include meeting with immigration or criminal defense attorneys, attending naturalization interviews or tests, appearing in state or federal criminal court, deportation hearings, and matters involving alleged unlawful detention tied to immigration status. Deportation hearings are explicitly listed, so paid time off can be used when someone faces removal proceedings.
Privacy and limits on oversight
HRAR 6.15 bars supervisors and managers from asking about immigration status, citizenship, or country of birth. Employees are told not to provide that information unless state or federal law strictly requires it. Requests are recorded in payroll but underlying details are shielded, and managers are warned against exchanging specifics in email. That is a strong privacy wall combined with a leave type tied directly to immigration law matters.
Budget timing and context
The roll out occurs while Portland faces a projected budget shortfall of roughly $66 to $67 million for the 2026 2027 fiscal year. So the city added a new paid benefit that will be paid with public funds at a time when officials say money is tight.
Why this matters to conservatives
From a conservative perspective this raises predictable concerns: new taxpayer funded benefits, expanded paid leave categories, and restrictions on managerial oversight. Critics will note the combination of a generous paid leave tied to immigration proceedings with a privacy rule that limits employer inquiry, and they will ask whether this is the right priority while budgets are strained.
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I used to visit the West Coast every 3 or 4 years! CA, OR and WA. I even thought about perhaps living in OR or WA a few years ago. However, now I will never even visit that area again!! Bunch of looney tones live and lead those many cities and all 3 states!! NO thanks! I’ll save my money!
Hey, Portland is competing with San Francisco in the Ultimately Stupid category.
The people should arise if they don’t have the money!! They shouldn’t be spending it on immigration leave!! What is the goal bankruptcy? How come it doesn’t support legal immigration?
The Portland people are shocked???? No , they voted for it.
The problem is the immigrants that helped build this country put there hearts in making this country strong and peaceful today’s young people claiming to be immigrants are nothing like their ancestors you all want everything for nothing you contribute nothing to this country you all just want everything handed to you get a job or build something on your own. Your just sucking the life out of hard working Americans citizens who are tired of watching you destroy this country because you think you’re owed something your not stand on your own two feet a make something of yourself. If you don’t like what America offers then leave now.
So city employees can take immigration leave for knowing an immigrant?? Is that not every employee. ??
I seriously doubt that Portland and Oregon taxpayers are shocked. I don’t think they are shocked by ANYTHING their government does at this point.