KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. – President Trump has called for expanded deportations targeting sanctuary cities, leading to confusion and concern in Kittitas County.
The Department of Homeland Security recently published a list of over 500 sanctuary jurisdictions on May 29, including Kittitas County. This designation implies limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
Sheriff Clay Myers of Kittitas County has openly disputed this designation. He clarified that Kittitas County is not a sanctuary county and stated, “We don’t enforce federal law. We don’t have the authority to enforce federal law.”
Sheriff Myers emphasized that while they do not enforce federal immigration laws, they do not obstruct federal law enforcement. “We don’t do anything to prohibit the enforcement of federal law by federal law enforcement officers, providing they are acting within their legal parameters and without malice,” he said.
Myers also noted that county sheriffs were initially not involved in the discussions that resulted in the publication of the sanctuary list. However, he mentioned that Homeland Security plans to include them in future discussions.
The situation highlights the ongoing debate over sanctuary cities and their implications for local jurisdictions.
