LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — Authorities in Oregon are expressing concern over a troubling letter that has been circulating in a rural coastal area, urging residents to take note of the license plate numbers of individuals they suspect may be undocumented immigrants. Sheriff Curtis Landers of Lincoln County has reached out to the FBI regarding this matter, indicating his growing alarm over the divisive nature of the letters.
On Thursday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement condemning the letters, which have been distributed throughout the county. Sheriff Landers mentioned that he personally received one of the letters, prompting his communication with federal officials. The FBI has acknowledged its awareness of the correspondence and has encouraged any community members feeling threatened to report their concerns to local law enforcement.
The content of the letter advises recipients to be vigilant in locations such as church parking lots and school pick-up lines, instructing them to jot down the license plate numbers of vehicles they believe might belong to immigrants without legal status. In response, the sheriff’s office reaffirmed its commitment to Oregon’s sanctuary law, which restricts local police from inquiring about or sharing individuals’ immigration statuses with federal authorities.
In their statement, the sheriff’s office urged residents to approach such situations with compassion, advising against the actions suggested in the letter, such as gathering or disseminating information based on perceived immigration status. State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum echoed these sentiments, labeling the intimidating letter-writing campaign as unacceptable in Oregon and expressing solidarity in opposing efforts that seek to fracture community unity.
The sheriff’s office has been approached for further details regarding the number and methods of distribution of the letters, but no immediate comments could be provided as Sheriff Landers and the spokesperson were unavailable on Friday.
Reports indicate that Landers received his copy of the letter at his home, while other local officials including the mayor and city council members of Toledo and the mayor of Lincoln City have also found similar letters in their mailboxes.
In light of former President Trump’s promises of mass deportations during his potential second term, advocacy organizations nationwide have begun hosting know-your-rights workshops aimed at educating immigrants on safeguarding themselves and their families. These training sessions are being conducted in states that are generally welcoming to immigrants, like California and Illinois, which have both implemented safeguards in reaction to previous hardline policies, alongside more restrictive states such as Florida.
At the same time, a trend is emerging in certain Republican-dominated states as officials propose legislation that would empower local law enforcement to detain individuals who are believed to have entered the country unlawfully. Similar laws in states like Texas are currently on hold, as courts deliberate over whether these measures infringe upon federal jurisdiction.
Oregon has held the distinction of being the first sanctuary state since 1987, establishing regulations that prevent local and state law enforcement from partaking in federal immigration activities without a judicial warrant. Over the years, this sanctuary law has seen numerous updates, including significant legislation passed in 2021 that established a hotline dedicated to reporting violations of the law.
