There may be as many as 150-thousand indigenous Latinos in Oregon, with a recent boost from immigrants fleeing organized crime and violence in Guatemala. They are very much under the radar and are amongst the most vulnerable people in Oregon, but they are seeking political representation.

Teresa Alonso Leon is unique in Oregon. She is a state legislator who is a woman, an immigrant, a Latina, and an indigenous person.  She is from probably the most diverse district in Oregon--Woodburn and North Salem:

For me, it's very special to be able to say that coming to the state legislature I get to bring the voice of everybody who represents our district and it's an honor for me.

She is one of just four Latino legislators in Salem, but they're having some impact on the house floor. For example, passing legislation to ban schools from disclosing personal information for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

They have also passed state health coverage for undocumented children and funds for prenatal care for undocumented women, many of them indigenous. Farmworkers union leader Ramón Ramierez estimates there are more than 20-thousand Purépecha in Marion County alone

Read the full article on indigenous Latinos in Oregon at KLCC | NPR for Oregonians