Skagit County Sheriff
"Committed To Your Safety"
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Keep Washington Working Act and the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
The following is intended to provide clarity about what Washington State law
requires or prohibits regarding immigration enforcement, what the policy of
the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is, and what you can expect from Skagit
County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The Law
Skagit County Sheriff Office Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I call 911 for help, will Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies ask me
about my immigration status?
A: No. Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies are prohibited from asking anyone
about their immigration status. No one should fear calling 911 because of their
immigration status. If a deputy learns of your immigration status, including any
undocumented status, they cannot share that information with federal civil
immigration enforcement officers.
Q: Does federal law require Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies to assist
federal immigration authorities?
A: No. Federal law does not require deputies to assist federal law enforcement,
and state law prohibits Washington law enforcement officers from doing so in
relation to civil immigration matters, such as deportation.
Q: Why don’t Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies stop federal U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities from arresting
people for civil immigration investigations?
A: ICE receives authority to conduct civil immigration enforcement from federal
law – not state or city law. It is against federal law for any person to obstruct,
delay, impede, or interfere with a federal law enforcement officer in the
performance of their official duties. Violation of that federal crime carries a penalty
of up to three years in prison and a significant fine. It is a crime for a local police
officer to interfere with federal immigration authorities, just as much as it is a
crime for a resident of Skagit County to do the same.
Q: In what circumstances will Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies assist
federal law enforcement authorities?
A: Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies may assist federal law enforcement
authorities with serious criminal matters, such as drug trafficking, trafficking in
stolen property, human trafficking, terrorism, and other federal crimes. Skagit
County Sheriff’s Office deputies are committed to keeping our community safe,
and if our deputies have the opportunity to assist with the arrest of an individual
who has committed a serious federal crime, they will provide that assistance.
Q: Can federal immigration authorities access Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
databases to obtain information on undocumented Skagit County-community
members?
A: The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is required by law to follow public disclosure
law and disclose the requested record or information upon request regardless of
who is requesting the record. Federal immigration authorities have the same
access to public records that any other member of the public would have access to.
However, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office will not voluntarily share information
for the purposes of civil immigration enforcement.
Q: What happens if someone reports an undocumented individual to the
Skagit County Sheriff’s Office?
A: Nothing. Skagit County Sheriff’s Office deputies do not enforce immigration, and
they are prohibited by law from providing any nonpublic personal information or
assistance to federal immigration authorities for civil immigration purposes. It is the
sole responsibility of federal authorities to address issues related to immigration.
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office will serve all community members regardless of
immigration status.
Agency contact for questions regarding the Keep Washington Working Act, U
& T visas, or other Sheriff’s Office immigration related policies:
Tobin Meyer
Chief Criminal Deputy 360-416-1911 sheriff@co.skagit.wa.us |