Law enforcement and community leaders in Lincoln County, Oregon, have strongly condemned an anonymous letter encouraging residents to track and report individuals of color, specifically those suspected of being undocumented immigrants.
The letter, titled Brown Round-Up Part 1, urged recipients to document license plate numbers of vehicles driven by people of color and send the information to the Department of Homeland Security following former President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The message claimed this would aid in identifying individuals who might lack permanent legal status.
Sheriff Curtis Landers denounced the letter, describing it as “harmful, divisive, and inconsistent with the values we uphold as public servants and community members.”
“Targeting individuals in this manner erodes trust and undermines the sense of safety and inclusion that we strive to maintain in Lincoln County,” Landers said in a statement.
He urged residents to reject such actions and respond with compassion. He also emphasized the sheriff’s office’s adherence to Oregon’s laws, which prohibit collecting or sharing personal information based on perceived immigration status.
“Diversity strengthens our communities, and we take pride in growing and thriving alongside the people we serve,” Landers added.
Lincoln City Mayor Susan Wahlke confirmed that she and other local officials, including Toledo’s mayor and city councilors, had received the letter. Claire Hall, a Lincoln County commissioner, expressed outrage, calling the letter an example of “anonymous vigilantism.”
“There aren’t enough bad things to say about this kind of behavior,” Hall said.
The letter comes amidst heightened national tensions over immigration policies. Former President Trump pledged a sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigration, which included plans for what he called “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
Trump’s former “border czar,” Tom Homan, recently projected the need for at least 100,000 beds in immigration detention facilities.
“We’ve got a big population to look for ... 700,000 criminals alone,” Homan said in a statement to CNN, noting that the operation would require coordination across multiple government agencies, including the Department of Defense.
Lincoln County’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering inclusion and public safety, distancing themselves from the divisive rhetoric reflected in the letter. Sheriff Landers emphasized the importance of trust and unity, asserting that such targeted actions threaten the community's well-being.
This incident highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and its effects on local communities, emphasizing the importance of upholding laws that protect individuals' rights and dignity.
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