The sheriff of Lincoln City, Oregon, has called on its citizens to act in the spirit of the state's signature immigration legislation, the first to introduce the so-called sanctuary laws some 37 years ago. Citizens and officials in localities such as Lincoln City and also the small Toledo have received letters inciting them to collect and send data on potential undocumented immigrants, in a manifestation of the rhetoric and policies embraced by Donald Trump. Strategic places to obtain information—particularly license plate numbers—are church parking lots or the pick-up line for school children. The FBI has been made aware of the reported dynamics.
“We strongly advise against engaging in activities such as those outlined in this letter, including collecting or sharing information about individuals based on their demographic or perceived immigration status,” said the Lincoln City Sheriff's Office. “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,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. Donald Trump's threat to conduct a mass deportation of immigrants lacking legal status in the United States and shut down migrant-friendly programs—such as the one powered by the CBP One mobile app—keeps those already on dreamed America and those still en route from the Darién Gap to Mexico in a state of permanent anxiety.
In the same trail 👇
Texas' new billboard campaign warns potential illegal immigrants NOT to enter Texas.
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) December 21, 2024
The billboards are translated in several languages—Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.
The message is clear: DON'T come to Texas. You WILL be arrested. pic.twitter.com/bzR5uzmuL6
A follow-up on Ecuador
Experts point out that Noboa is compromising productive activity in critical industries in order not to cede more electoral capital—in the midst of the Christmas celebrations—because of the country's energy crisis, hardly “fulfilling” the promise that the long blackouts affecting the country since September would end this week. To do so, Noboa has sacrificed steel, cement and mining production, with certain companies in these sectors still limited in terms of the power they can consume. “You cannot sacrifice production and employment to fulfill an unfeasible promise,” said the former president of the Quito Chamber of Commerce. Noboa is now presenting himself as a defender of the citizenry against the interests of the industry, a professor told AP. The truth is that the power generation still does not cover the demand, and it is not ruled out that blackouts may return after the holiday season, which would be a serious blow to Noboa's presidential candidacy. Yesterday, interruptions of the electric service were reported “due to technical failures”.
Insecurity
Ecuador's parliament has summoned top military officials and the Ombudsman to testify about the alleged kidnapping—twelve days ago—of four children in the troubled port city of Guayaquil, the South American nation's de facto crime capital. The minors, aged between 11 and 15, were abducted by men in military fatigues—it is common for gangs to use them, but, as we see, it is not ruled out that there is real involvement of the Armed Forces—in the Malvinas neighborhood after going out to play soccer. One of them allegedly contacted his father to tell him that they had been left naked—after being beaten—in an area where an important Air Force base is located. Yet when the police arrived they could not find them. The case, as expected, has shaken the nation. “This cannot remain in oblivion, nor in the bureaucracy of slow investigations. This is a tragedy that strikes us all. Justice for these children, clarity for their families and immediate actions to stop this wave of violence that is stealing our peace”, declared the mayor of Guayaquil via X.
And this is all for our report today. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how and where to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.