Commissioners discuss ‘sanctuary’ resolutions; sheriff says federal warrants required for detainers

Chairman Rick and residents discussed recent coverage of a Lewis County resolution declaring the county “not a sanctuary county” and whether a similar resolution would change county practice. The chairman said the county has no local policy that prevents cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and that a county resolution saying “we are not a sanctuary county” would not change state or federal law. A resident who identified himself as Ron asked for public clarification about where county law enforcement stands in relation to state and federal authorities and suggested the county sheriff provide a public session on the question. Chairman Rick said he would request that the sheriff appear to explain how those interactions work. Sheriff Thurman addressed the board and described historical practice involving immigration enforcement at jails: he said federal immigration officers used to come regularly to jails and issue detainers, but a court decision roughly a decade ago altered that practice and many jails in the Ninth Circuit stopped honoring handwritten detainers without judicial review. Thurman said, “if there’s a federal warrant of arrest, that means a warrant signed by a federal magistrate, then we can, arrest them on that. And also our jail will accept them,” and that the jail will not accept detainers that lack judicial authority. Sheriff Thurman said he had not observed ICE conducting independent enforcement operations in the community or requesting county assistance and that, when outside authorities do appear, the sheriff’s office would verify credentials and, when appropriate, consult with the prosecuting attorney. The sheriff also noted a state law passed a few years ago that limits sharing certain state and local law‑enforcement information with federal authorities; he described that state law as constraining county data sharing but did not cite a specific statute by name during the meeting. The board did not adopt any formal policy at the meeting. Chairman Rick and others said they would monitor developments and request a presentation from the sheriff or other officials to explain authorities and procedures to the public.