A letter circulating within Lincoln County, Oregon, has ignited outrage and condemnation from law enforcement and community leaders alike. The letter, which encourages residents to report people of color who are perceived to be undocumented immigrants, violates the fundamental values of trust and inclusion within the diverse coastal community.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office revealed the existence of the letter on Thursday, making clear their opposition to its content. The missive asks local residents to note the license plate numbers of vehicles driven by people of color and report suspected undocumented immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security. Sheriff Curtis Landers, who received the letter himself, stated, 'This type of behavior is harmful, divisive, and inconsistent with the values we uphold as public servants and community members.'
According to reports, the letter, titled 'Brown Round-up Part 1,' instructs recipients to send the collected information to authorities shortly after January 21, directly aligning with the dawn of the Trump administration. Following the letter's publication, Landers emphasized the dangers of engaging with its inflammatory message: 'Targeting individuals in this manner erodes trust and undermines the sense of safety and inclusion we strive to maintain.'
Despite the content of the letter being protected under the First Amendment, Sheriff Landers pointed out the potential for legal repercussions if individuals act upon its demands. Oregon's laws protect immigrants and explicitly discourage investigative actions based solely on perceived immigration status.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum also condemned the letter, denouncing any attempts to intimidate communities through such racially charged communications. 'Attempts to intimidate our communities and their leaders through racist letter-writing campaigns has no place in Oregon,' she stated, reinforcing the protective stance of Oregon’s immigrant-friendly legislation.
The F.B.I. has reported awareness of these troubling letter campaigns and acknowledged the distressing impact they could have on local communities. The agency underscored the importance of community trust and safety.
Local leaders have joined the sheriff's office in denouncing the letter and its proposed actions. Susan Wahlke, the Mayor of Lincoln City, expressed her dismay upon receiving the letter, as did the mayor of Toledo and several city councilors. 'I believe this ties back to the new administration's attitudes toward immigration and the fear they are fostering,' remarked the sheriff.
Claire Hall, another local official, voiced her strong opposition to the letter's message. Hall stated, 'There aren’t enough bad things to say about this kind of anonymous vigilantism.' Her comments reflect the broader concern for community solidarity against the ideologies promoted by the letter.
Commentators argue these developments resonate with national trends, particularly the rhetoric employed by President Trump, who has made stringent immigration reform central to his administration's agenda. Leaders within the administration have reportedly projected the need for substantial resources to facilitate aggressive deportation efforts.
'We’re telling you, at the minimum, we need 100,000 beds because we’ve got a big population to look for ... 700,000 criminals alone,' stated Tom Homan, Trump’s designated 'border czar.' His comments hint at the scale of enforcement measures being considered as the administration readies itself to ramp up immigration controls.
This incident has highlighted not only local responses but also the larger societal dynamics at play. Manchester's police have reiterated their commitment to fostering harmonious communities, irrespective of individuals' backgrounds.
'We take pride in growing and thriving alongside the people we serve,' Sheriff Landers remarked during his statement. His words resonate powerfully within the framework of community policing focused on respect, safety, and collaboration.
While the letter's inflammatory rhetoric echoes broader anti-immigrant sentiments resurging nationally, Lincoln County remains steadfastly committed to protecting the rights and dignities of all its residents. Official statements from local law enforcement clearly signal their determination to reject divisive narratives and to uphold Oregon's progressive stance on immigration.
Authorities continue to encourage Lincoln County residents to report any racially-motivated harassment or intimidation, reiteratting the ethos of inclusivity. Local leaders urge residents to dispel fear and uphold their values of compassion and solidarity, reinforcing the message, 'Diversity strengthens our communities.'
