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.
Advertisement
Click for more informationAdvertisement
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.
Advertisement
Click for more informationAdvertisement
Click for more information– Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley (January 23, 2025)
Links to legislation referenced.
Discover more from Whatcom News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
So…. are you going to oppose the Feds, like other states are going to do? I hope you stand by. They are doing what we voted for.
You need to cooperate in getting rid of all known criminals out of Whatcom County! That is your job!
GOOD!!
Very disappointing reaction from the Sheriff. It’s shameful what our city, county, and state leaders have done on this issue.
Is anyone really surprised?? What did you expect from a law enforcement agency, that really doesn’t care about public safety.
At a minimum…please get your cowardly selves out of the way, so the adults in the room can do their job.
Attitudes like that are why Trump was elected. Tired of liberal policies.
He should be put in jail for not following the laws of our country!
I can’t believe he wouldn’t catch criminals he should be charged with those crimes himself!
THIS is exactly why I did not vote for “Tank.” Moral cowardice! We needed a Sheriff. Our last Sheriff could not make a decision without running to his political puppet masters. Tank is going to be a replica. A shameful service to our community. Tank has tanked!! Where is a man or woman with the courage to do what is morally right????
Sweet! What other federal crimes can I commit without you interfering? Some of the most commonly charged federal crimes include drug trafficking, firearms violations, fraud, sex offenses, along with immigration issues. So we can expect that these crimes will be ignored too? What kind of “Tank” is your moniker based on? Septic?
So in other words, you are not willing to uphold and protect the constitution of the Unites States. Instead you are pandering to the left in order to keep your job. Oh how we miss the previous Sheriff.
In other words you are refusing to uphold the constitution of the United States. You are a disgrace to the uniform and an embarrassment to all who serve. You are only pandering to the left in hopes of keeping your job. You are a disgrace to the badge and we long for the leadership of your predecessor.
I want to remind the folks here who are eager to see deportations to be careful. Many of those of us who have lived in Whatcom County for several generations are the children and grandchildren of immigrants from Germany (as I am), Scandinavia, and the Netherlands (as I am also).
I know from family stories that deportation was on my grandparents’ and great grandparents’ minds, especially during two world wars when German immigrants were under suspicion.
My grandmother, for example, never had official documents. She married my grandfather who was a birthright citizen under the 14th Amendment because he was born in Minnesota, not because he had documentation.
If the current administration had its way 150 years ago, my grandfather would not be a citizen, nor would my grandmother, my father, or me.
Be careful what you endorse. You may bring into question your own citizenship.