Some Portland immigrants and refugees facing deportation may be provided an attorney at no cost thanks to an ordinance adopted Wednesday by the City Council.

The council approved a $500,000 grant to Catholic Charities of Oregon, which will use the money to hire attorneys and paralegals to represent potential deportees. A minimum of 60 people are to receive attorney help under the grant, according to the agreement. At least 50 of those "will receive a screening for service eligibility," though no eligibility conditions are listed.

Immigrants living in the country illegally and refugees have the same constitutional protections as citizens. But people facing deportation are not entitled to a court-appointed lawyer if they cannot afford one.

The legal assistance program was championed primarily by Portland's newest city commissioner, Chloe Eudaly. She said Wednesday that hundreds of Portlanders are facing deportation, and most will be forced to leave the country unless they can be provided attorneys. Her office cited research by Syracuse University as the basis for the figure.

The need for access to attorneys is especially great given "continued and increasingly aggressive attacks" on immigrants from federal officials, Eudaly said.

"Providing access to legal services is about protecting everyone's constitutional right to due process," Eudaly said. "This is one of the most fundamental components of our democracy and every American regardless of immigration status should be proud to defend this value."

The $500,000 grant to Catholic Charities is a one-time grant under the city special appropriations budget. Money for the grant is drawn from the city general fund, which primarily pays for police, fire and parks operations. The vote to approve the funding ordinance was 4-0 with Commissioner Dan Saltzman absent.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

Have a tip about Portland City Hall? Contact Gordon: GFriedman@Oregonian.com.