State and local officials have strongly denounced a letter that has been circulating in Oregon. Oregon State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum condemned the letter, stating, “Attempts to intimidate our communities and their leaders through racist letter-writing campaigns has no place in Oregon, and we will continue to stand together in opposition to those who seek to divide us.” Rosenblum emphasized that Oregon prides itself on being an “open, welcoming, and safe” state for all individuals and called for unity in the face of such hateful actions.
Toledo Mayor Rod Cross revealed during a city council meeting on December 18 that he had received the letter, which bore an invalid return address. The letter, which warns of a potential mass deportation operation targeting individuals of a particular ethnicity, has sparked outrage and concern among local officials. Mayor Cross expressed his dismay at the contents of the letter, stating, “I am livid because I don’t know if history is just not getting taught anymore or if the memories of my father and his generation have just been wiped out of existence but this is not America. This is not who we are.”
The letter, obtained by ABC News, references a purported plan by the Department of Homeland Security to carry out a large-scale deportation campaign in January 2025. While the letter mentions targeting individuals described as “brown illegals,” it does not explicitly link these actions to President-elect Donald Trump or his previous statements regarding immigration enforcement.
Sheriff Landers confirmed that he also received a copy of the letter in his personal post office box. While acknowledging that the content of the letter may not necessarily constitute a criminal act, Sheriff Landers reported the matter to the FBI for awareness. The Sheriff noted that the mayor of Lincoln City and several city council members had also been recipients of the letter.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Sheriff Landers emphasized the importance of respecting individuals’ rights and dignity in law enforcement practices. He highlighted Oregon’s laws that restrict the inquiry or collection of individuals’ immigration status without a judicial warrant. The Sheriff’s Office adheres to these regulations, refraining from inquiring about or sharing such information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless required by law.
Oregon has a history of enacting policies that support immigrant communities. The state passed a sanctuary law in 1987, making it the first in the country to implement such legislation. This law prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies and government offices from participating in immigration enforcement activities without a judicial warrant, emphasizing the protection of individuals’ rights and privacy.
The circulation of the controversial letter has prompted a unified response from Oregon officials, who have condemned its contents and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering an inclusive and compassionate environment for all residents. The letter, which urges residents to report individuals based on their ethnicity, has been met with resolute opposition and calls for unity in upholding the values of equality and respect within the state.
