An anonymous letter urging residents of Lincoln County, Oregon, to report individuals they suspect of being undocumented immigrants has sparked widespread condemnation from local and state officials. The letter, which targets people of color—specifically “brown folks”—has been described by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office as harmful, divisive, and incompatible with the values upheld by the community.
The sheriff’s office posted a statement on Facebook denouncing the letter, which it said had been circulated throughout the county. Sheriff Curtis Landers made it clear that such actions undermine the safety, trust, and inclusivity that the community strives to maintain. “Targeting individuals in this manner erodes trust and undermines the sense of safety and inclusion,” Landers said, emphasizing that this behavior was inconsistent with the role of public servants in the area.
The anonymous letter, a copy of which was obtained by ABC News, contains numerous errors and threats against undocumented immigrants. It warned of a mass deportation effort to begin in January 2025, which it claimed would be the “largest round-up of brown illegals in our history.” The letter does not reference former President Donald Trump’s past rhetoric on immigration, but it echoes his campaign promises of large-scale deportations. Local leaders, however, have dismissed the letter’s content as harmful and dangerous.
Oregon State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum was quick to condemn the letter, stating that such intimidation tactics have no place in Oregon. “Oregon is an open, welcoming, and safe place for all individuals,” Rosenblum asserted, urging the public to rise above the “despicable tactics” used to divide communities.
The letter was also received by Toledo Mayor Rod Cross, who voiced his outrage during a city council meeting on December 18. Cross, whose father lived through the civil rights era, called out the letter for promoting a vision that runs contrary to the values of America. “This is not America. This is not who we are,” Cross said.
Sheriff Landers confirmed that he too received a copy of the letter in his personal P.O. box. Although the content of the letter may not constitute a criminal act, he reported it to the FBI for awareness. Other local officials, including the mayor of Lincoln City and several city council members, also received the letter, further highlighting its widespread nature.
In his Facebook post, Sheriff Landers reaffirmed the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to respecting the rights of all individuals, noting that Oregon law generally prohibits the inquiry or collection of immigration status unless under specific legal exceptions. He stressed that the Sheriff’s Office does not engage in immigration enforcement or share information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This policy aligns with Oregon’s sanctuary law, which, since 1987, has prohibited local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
The letter, which continues to circulate anonymously, is a stark reminder of the tension surrounding immigration in the U.S. Despite its divisive nature, local and state leaders in Oregon have been resolute in their opposition to such harmful rhetoric.