WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley issued a statement today, January 23, 2025, in response to questions regarding the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office’s involvement in expected “efforts to enforce federal immigrations laws.”
In recent weeks, I and other Washington Sheriffs have been asked about plans regarding anticipated changes in federal immigration enforcement. Some concerned community members want Sheriffs to cooperate in projected efforts to enforce federal immigration laws, while others want us to take a stand against such efforts.
The Washington State Legislature passed the Keep Washington Working Act (KWW), Laws of 2019 ch. 440 E2SSB 5497 during the 2019 Legislative Session.
In the Keep Washington Working Act, the state Legislature determined that it is not the primary purpose of state or local law enforcement to enforce civil federal immigration law. Additionally, the Legislature determined that a person’s immigration status, presence in the country, or employment, alone, is not a matter for police action—reinforcing that the federal government bears the primary jurisdiction to enforce federal immigration law. Significantly, this does not restrict local agencies’ ability to enforce state and local law.
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Click for more informationDeportation, immigration and federal law enforcement issues fall under the jurisdiction of the federal courts and are not part of my elected office or sworn duty.
The Sheriffs Office has always collaborated with Federal Law Enforcement Agencies to protect the safety of our community and law enforcement officers. We will continue to support criminal investigations when requested. Our role has been a collaborative partnership in participating in Task Forces related to criminal activity that affects our community—not immigration enforcement.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office will not take enforcement action based on immigration-related statuses. A person’s immigration status is not a factor in our criminal investigations unless there is an explicit basis in state law, such as a violation of Alien possession of firearms (RCW 9.41.173).
This office’s first duty and mission is protecting lives and reducing crimes to ensure everyone enjoys a good quality of life. We will proactively pursue that duty, protecting all persons without bias in the most professional and compassionate way possible.
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Click for more information– Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley (January 23, 2025)
Links to legislation referenced.
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