The chief executives of Nike and Columbia Sportswear, two of the biggest companies in the state, have each written personally to express their opposition to an initiative that would repeal Oregon's sanctuary state law.

Each submitted statements of opposition to the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet to Measure 105, which would strike down the 30-year-old Oregon law. It prohibits state and local law enforcement from using public resources to detect or apprehend people whose only violation of the law is their immigration status.

Nike and Columbia Sportswear, among other companies, had previously expressed opposition to the measure. In the newly released pamphlet, each company's CEO took the unusual step of explaining his stance.

"Nike employs people from all over the world; we can attest to the unique value, contributions, and innovations that people from diverse backgrounds add to Nike and to Oregon's culture and economy," wrote CEO Mark Parker. "Ending Oregon's sanctuary law will damage Oregon's long-standing track record as a place that attracts diverse talent from across the globe."

Nike already had a high political profile this fall after the company featured former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a new ad campaign. Kaepernick is a controversial figure because he kneeled during the national anthem in protest of social injustice and police violence against African-Americans. He stopped playing for the San Francisco 49ers last year and has not been picked up by any other teams.

Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle cited his family's history fleeing Nazi Germany in his statement on the initiative.

"Oregon is enriched by our diversity, and immigrants living in Oregon are part of our families, communities, workplaces, and places of worship," Boyle wrote. "Measure 105 does not align with Oregon values."

Other companies, unions and law enforcement personnel also wrote to oppose the measure. Intel, Oregon's largest corporate employer, was supportive of immigrant rights under former CEO Brian Krzanich but hasn't taken a position on Measure 105.

Supporters who wrote in favor of the measure include Republican state lawmakers Sen. Kim Thatcher of Keizer, Rep. Sal Esquivel of Medford and Rep. Greg Barreto of Cove, and Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin.

"Helping enforce immigration law is a fundamental responsibility of police and sheriffs," Bergin wrote. "Why? Because, though immigration violations are federal offenses, they are precursors to other crimes illegal immigrants routinely commit to seek to conceal their illegal presence — crimes, like identity theft, that harm everyday Oregonians at the local level."

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, opposes Measure 105. Her Republican opponent, state Rep. Knute Buehler, supports the measure.

—Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699