A Letter Asking People to Report Immigrant License Plates Sparks Concern in Oregon’s Lincoln County
A sheriff in Oregon’s Lincoln County has expressed concern over letters circulating in the community asking people to report the license plate numbers of suspected immigrants. The letters, which have been delivered to residents, instruct people to be vigilant in public places, such as church parking lots or school pickup lines, and to write down the license plate numbers of cars believed to belong to immigrants who may lack permanent legal status.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has condemned the letters, describing them as divisive and encouraging community members to use compassion instead of sharing information about individuals based on their perceived immigration status. The office has also contacted the FBI, which has acknowledged the mailings and advised community members who feel physically threatened to report their concerns to law enforcement.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has also spoken out against the letters, saying they have no place in the state and divide its communities. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Oregon’s sanctuary law, which prohibits local police from inquiring about immigration status and sharing that information with federal authorities.
The letters have raised concerns in a community where many are already anxious about the prospect of mass deportations and increased immigration enforcement. In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s vows to conduct mass deportations, advocacy groups across the country have hosted know-your-rights training sessions for immigrants and their families. Oregon, the first sanctuary state, has laws in place to protect immigrants and prevent local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
