PCUN launches recurring ‘Day without an Immigrant’ campaign

Published 12:56 pm Saturday, December 27, 2025

Oregon’s Farmworkers Union, PCUN, announced a recurring “Day Without an Immigrant” campaign during a press conference Wednesday, Dec. 17 calling on immigrant communities and allies to engage in monthly economic and civic actions in response to increased immigration enforcement activity across the state.

Reyna Lopez, PCUN’s executive director, said the action was prompted by recent immigration raids and detainments throughout Oregon, including six in Seaside in November and another six in December — three in Warrenton, two in Astoria and one in Seaside. Overall, more than 900 farmworker families in the state have been impacted by arrests and detentions.

“What we are seeing right now is a humanitarian and public safety crisis,” Lopez said. “Families are being torn apart, people are being detained while going to work and many are being held without access to legal counsel.”

Organizers described incidents involving federal immigration agents detaining workers at job sites, breaking vehicle windows and apprehending individuals without explanation. Lopez said fear has spread rapidly through immigrant communities.

“Parents are afraid to leave their homes because they don’t know if they will be there when their children come back from school,” Lopez said.

The monthly actions, scheduled to occur once a month through May, will encourage participants to refrain from work, shopping and other economic activity. Organizers said families will decide whether to keep children home from school, stressing that participation should reflect what is safest and most realistic for each household.

“We know these are difficult economic times,” Lopez said. “That’s why this action is designed to be flexible. People can participate in ways that work for them, but the most important thing is showing solidarity.”

During the Q&A section of the press conference, Oregonian reporter Julia Silverman raised concerns about the potential impact on Oregon’s high rates of chronic school absenteeism. Sandy Chung, executive director of ACLU of Oregon, said the absenteeism is already being driven by fear and trauma linked to immigration enforcement.

“Children are already missing school because they’re scared their parents won’t be there when they get home,” Lopez said.  “This action reflects a reality that is already happening in our communities.”

Chung said that Oregon schools are currently considered safe spaces due to long-standing state policies, but said continued civic action is necessary to protect those safeguards.

“Schools are safe because people have fought for them to be safe,” Chung said. “They are not safe by accident.”

The union also called on state and local governments to expand emergency funding for immigrant families, including increased investment in immigration legal defense, economic stability funds for families who have lost primary wage earners and clearer statewide limits on the conduct of federal immigration agents.

“These emergency funds are a good first step, but they are not enough,” Lopez said. “We need long-term solutions that ensure families can remain stable and protected.”

Organizers said safety measures will be in place at the actions, including having trained human rights observers and coordinating with local officials and providing legal protections related to civic gatherings.

“We understand that not everyone feels safe showing up in person,” Lopez said. “That’s why allies with legal status are being asked to stand in for those who can’t.”

Union leaders concluded the press conference by urging Oregonians to participate in the actions whatever way they can.

“There is no option to do nothing,” Lopez said. “Our actions must reflect how serious this moment is.”