BREWSTER – With the inauguration of Donald Trump less than a month away on Jan. 20, law enforcement offices across the nation are reaching out to their communities to explain how they intend to address the president’s threat to begin immigrant deportation proceedings once in office.
Okanogan County Sheriff Paul Budrow and Brewster Police Chief Marcos Ruiz are weighing in with comments designed to reassure residents who feel threatened and others seeking clarification of policy.
Sheriff Paul Budrow
“I have been a law enforcement officer for over 40 years and have never conducted immigration enforcement,” Budrow said in a Dec. 18 Facebook post (facebook.com/okanogancountysheriffoffice)
“Deportation, 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.”
While the sheriff noted that his office “will not take enforcement action based on immigration or alien status,” he also noted that “a person’s immigration status should not and will not be allowed to impede the investigation of crimes in which they may be involved. I say this though regrettably aware that some Washington State laws intend to shield immigration violators from federal enforcement (and) have exactly this effect.”
Budrow said his office “will not impede federal authorities from conducting lawful operations and, if federal officers are believed to be in danger, we will work to ensure both their safety and our community’s.”
“The first duty and mission of this office is to protect people from crime,” said Budrow. “We will pursue that duty, prosecuting and protecting all persons without bias, whether they are citizens, lawful resident aliens, or violators of federal immigration law.”
Chief Marcos Ruiz
Chief Ruiz issued a statement to The Quad on Dec. 26 in response to questions regarding the Brewster Police Department’s stance on immigration enforcement.
“Deportation, immigration, and federal law enforcement duties are under the jurisdiction of the federal courts and federal law enforcement agencies,” wrote Ruiz. “The focus of the Brewster Police Department is on criminal violations that affect our community safety and quality of life.”
Ruiz noted that his department has been called upon to assist federal law enforcement with operations in the community.
“When requested, the role of the Brewster Police Department is primarily to assist with scene security while federal agencies conduct their operations, for the purposes of officer and subject safety,” wrote Ruiz. “These joint operations focus specifically on criminal acts or the safety to our community, not immigration status. It is also worth noting that immigration status should not protect or impede investigation or prosecution of any person involved in a crime.”
Ruiz encourages those who need assistance to request it.
“I would like people to know, no one in our state should fear calling 911 for help due to their immigration status,” Ruiz wrote. “The role of Brewster police officers is to serve and protect everyone. We will always seek to provide that service fairly, and without regard to immigration status.”
Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media
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