WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County’s sheriff has released a public response to whether the sheriff’s office will fall in line with President Trump’s immigration executive orders.
Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley said in an open letter that he has received questions regarding potential changes to how the sheriff’s office handles federal immigration enforcement.
Sheriff Tanksley says that he and other sheriffs must adhere to the Keep Washington Working Act. The act prevents state and local police from pursuing charges against a person based solely on immigration status.
Tanksley adds that deportation and other immigration-related actions are not a part of his elected office or sworn duty.
He does say that a person’s immigration status factors in when the state law explicitly mentions it, such as firearm possession.
Though Bellingham is not a sanctuary city, a 2017 decision states that local police will not enforce immigration laws.
