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Town law enforcement clarifies no local participation in ICE operations
Summary
A county law-enforcement representative told the council the town does not participate in ICE operations and will remain ‘‘hands off' in immigration enforcement, while noting federal agencies sometimes notify local authorities of presence in the area.
A law-enforcement speaker at the March 25 La Conner meeting told the council the town does not participate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
The speaker, identified in the meeting transcript as a representative of the sheriff's office, said the department operates under Washington State directives and does not confirm ICE warrants or participate as backup for ICE operations. "We are completely hands off," the speaker said, adding that federal agencies occasionally notify local law enforcement that they will be in the area but that the town will not participate in immigration enforcement.
Councilmembers asked for clarification after residents raised concerns that county or contracted local enforcement was assisting federal immigration operations. The sheriff's-office representative said rumors had circulated and reiterated that local policy is to defer to state law and not to provide operational support to federal immigration enforcement.
The council did not take formal action on the matter but accepted the clarification and asked staff to communicate that policy to concerned residents if needed.
