By Rebecca Wallis

Yamhill County – November 13, 2025 6:25am

Article updated with a clarifying statement from James Wolfer, Newberg–Dundee Public Schools School Board Director. Nov 13, 2025 9:39am

A recent social media post by Yamhill County Commissioner David “Bubba” King encouraging residents to report and respond to federal immigration enforcement activity has prompted new questions about public safety, law enforcement risk, and conflicting messages between local officials and federal authorities.

King’s November 13 post encouraged residents to call a public hotline during “ICE activity” and listed more than nineteen elected officials who he says “stand together” in opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts. One of the officials on the list is a sworn law enforcement officer serving simultaneously in an elected position.

The post went out one week after a Nov. 6 public town hall where King was questioned about whether publicizing ICE activity could create safety concerns. It also came six weeks after a federal warning from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that Oregon had released ten violent felons into local communities after ICE detainers were declined.

Federal Warning Cited Ongoing Public Safety Risks

On October 3, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and HSI Seattle filed a petition to enforce administrative subpoenas in several Oregon counties after state and county officials declined to honor ICE detainers. As a result, federal officials say ten individuals convicted of serious crimes were released into Oregon communities.

According to federal records, the individuals were convicted of offenses including first-degree rape, kidnapping, sexual abuse of minors, first-degree robbery, manslaughter, and weapons-related assault. All ten completed their state prison sentences and were released without transfer to federal custody.

“This endangers public safety and forces ICE to track these individuals at large,” HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller said in the October 3 statement. “Communities are put at risk.”

Federal officials say they continue seeking the individuals for removal proceedings.

Town Hall Raises Questions About Enforcement Safety

At the Nov. 6 town hall, the discussion turned to whether posting ICE locations online, even after agents have left the area, could unintentionally aid individuals attempting to avoid law enforcement.

When asked whether delayed posting might create new fear among residents who were unaware ICE had been present, King responded, “They’re already afraid.” He later questioned the overall impact of his posts, asking, “How effective do you think I am?”

During the exchange, King said he was unsure what offenses should determine whether someone is subject to federal detention, asking whether DUI would qualify as a serious enough crime. DUI is a criminal offense in Oregon and can elevate to felony status when a child is present in the vehicle, when injuries occur, or when an individual has prior convictions.

The discussion also followed comments from King suggesting that other agencies could handle violent offenders. Oregon is a sanctuary state, and local agencies do not coordinate with ICE on civil immigration matters, despite one attendee vehemently claiming they do.

Deputy Shooting Adds Context to Local Concerns

The town hall occurred two days after a Nov. 4 pursuit in which a fleeing suspect opened fire on Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and on the same day as the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting where Commissioner King publicly expressed support for local law enforcement — raising questions about how that position aligns with his public criticism of ICE operations. Gunfire struck the windshields of two patrol vehicles. The deputies were not hit, but the incident underscored the risks local deputies face during enforcement encounters.

The shooting was referenced during the town hall as part of a broader conversation about officer safety and whether heightened public attention to federal enforcement activity could complicate efforts by local or federal officers to safely conduct operations.

Sworn Law Enforcement Officer Included on “Stand Together” List

King’s Nov. 13 list of supportive elected officials includes one individual who is actively employed as a law enforcement officer. While Oregon sanctuary policies restrict certain forms of cooperation with federal immigration authorities, encouraging public reporting of ICE activity is separate from those statutory limitations.

Law enforcement operations often depend on controlled environments. Public notification of federal activity, especially during or shortly after enforcement attempts, can influence the conditions officers encounter, potentially increasing risks associated with crowd presence, misinformation, or misidentification during ongoing operations.

Potential Safety Implications of Publicizing Enforcement Activity

Public safety analysts cite several areas of concern when real-time or delayed enforcement locations are shared widely:

• increased likelihood that individuals with pending warrants or violent histories may attempt to avoid areas where enforcement has occurred
• creation of new fear in residents who were unaware of prior activity
• inadvertent mobilization of crowds near enforcement sites
• potential for confusion during federal operations seeking individuals released from state custody
• added operational risk for deputies already encountering elevated threats from recent local incidents

These concerns exist alongside the federal government’s ongoing effort to locate the ten released offenders referenced in the October 3 petition.

As Yamhill County navigates federal warnings, local political messaging, and recent law enforcement incidents, the questions raised at the Nov. 6 town hall remain central: how public reporting of immigration enforcement activity intersects with community safety, officer protection, and the broader responsibilities of elected officials. The discussion is further shaped by the fact that Commissioner King serves as the Board of Commissioners’ liaison to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office.

Update:

Elected Official Says His Name Was Included Without Consent

After publication of King’s November 13 post, one of the elected officials whose name appeared on the “stand together” list contacted Yamhill County News to clarify that he did not authorize his inclusion.

In a letter to the editor, the official, who is also a sworn law enforcement officer, stated that he was approached and asked for permission to be included in the video associated with the post, but did not give that permission. Despite declining, his name was added to the list without his consent.

He said he only became aware of this because of the article, as he does not spend much time on social media.

The officer emphasized that he does not support, condone, or encourage any interference with federal law enforcement operations, including actions that could affect ICE or HSI activities. He wrote that interfering with lawful enforcement “endangers officers, bystanders, and the communities we serve.”

He added that the public has appropriate avenues to disagree with policy, such as elections, the courts, and engagement with elected officials, but those disagreements should not take the form of actions that could compromise public safety or hinder law enforcement operations.

Editors note:

His statement raises new questions about how the list of supportive officials was compiled and whether others were added without explicit confirmation.

When David was asked before BOC today at 9:45am if James Wolfer was a supporter of his message, he nodded yes and then said “go ask him” of which I stated “is that your answer?” David replied, “yes, go ahead and ask him.”

So who is not being truthful here? I’m am more inclined to believe the law enforcement official who also serves in the Coast Guard than the BOC official who is known to embellish.

Photo Credit:  publicly available at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091385625936