Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 4111 into law on March 31, 2026, marking a significant expansion of protections for immigrant workers across the state.
The legislation, which took effect on June 5, 2026, limits how immigration status can be used in civil proceedings and restricts employer retaliation against workers who update their employment authorisation documentation.
Under the new law, data about a party’s or witness’s immigration status may not be introduced as evidence in civil lawsuits, except in narrowly defined circumstances where it is essential to proving a case.
Permitted exceptions include situations where immigration status is relevant to calculating damages or to the reinstatement of an employee, with strict procedural requirements attached to any such use.
Supporters of the bill argued that immigration status had been weaponised by employers facing lawsuits over wage claims and labour law violations, effectively discouraging workers from pursuing legal remedies.
“It’s being used as an intimidation tactic in civil court and also in administrative proceedings,” said Cathie Theisen, political and policy strategist for the AFL-CIO union.
Proponents also cited cases in which immigrant workers were dismissed after submitting updated work authorisation documents, sometimes as apparent retaliation for raising concerns about working conditions.
House Bill 4111 makes it an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A to discharge, retaliate against, or discriminate against an employee for updating or attempting to update personal information following a lawful change in federal employment authorisation documentation.
Employees affected by such retaliation may assert a private right of action under the legislation, and are entitled to seek damages and attorney fees through the courts.
The bill also adds immigration status to the list of characteristics upon which law enforcement agencies and officers are prohibited from profiling individuals.
Oregon Farm Bureau raised concerns during the legislative process that the original bill could expose agricultural employers to costly litigation, particularly if they received federal mismatch letters flagging discrepancies in worker records.
In response, the revised version of the bill includes an exemption for employers who take action to comply with federal employment authorisation verification requirements, offering a degree of protection where federal law compels a response.
The amended legislation also clarifies that employers are not liable for adverse actions taken by third parties, such as health insurance providers, based on updated worker information.
Governor Kotek’s office described House Bill 4111 as part of a broader package of 2026 measures aimed at strengthening protections for immigrant and refugee communities throughout Oregon.
For businesses operating in Oregon, the law requires a careful review of anti-retaliation policies and manager training to ensure that handling of employment authorisation updates does not create legal exposure under the new framework.