Basin law enforcement, schools address immigration concerns

MOSES LAKE — Local law enforcement and schools will continue following state law regarding immigration enforcement, according to statements made by those organizations.  The announcements come in response to rumors that began circulating last week after various immigration-related executive orders from President Donald Trump.  

Trump issued several executive orders associated with immigration and border security on his first day in office, and the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement indicating schools and churches would no longer be considered taboo for Customs and Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to enter. Under former President Joe Biden’s administration, those locations had been designated as “sensitive” for enforcement purposes.  

“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murders and rapists—who have illegally come into our country. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” said Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman via a DHS press release. 

DHS estimates that 1.4 to 1.5 million people entered the U.S. illegally over the past four years under the Biden administration. While enforcement of immigration law is a goal, most statements issued by DHS, ICE and CBP indicate that those who have committed crimes in the U.S. are the priority for enforcement.  

Law enforcement 

Local law enforcement agencies have said they will stick to their roles of enforcing criminal laws and remaining in compliance with state restrictions. 

“Under RCW 10.93.160 local law enforcement may not assist in or arrest for civil immigration offenses, meaning the community will not see any changes from how we currently operate,” a statement issued by the Moses Lake Police Department said. 

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued a similar statement.  

“The Grant County Sheriff’s Office complies with state law and does not collect information about a person’s immigration status,” said GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. 

He then referred to the Keep Washington Working Act, a state law that prohibits law enforcement from asking about immigration or citizenship status when interacting with the public. For more information on that law, visit https://bit.ly/WAKWW.  

The Mattawa Police Department cautioned against passing on rumors without verifying information. Unfounded reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement appearing at various locations, including schools, made the rounds on social media and caused law enforcement agencies and schools to receive calls from concerned community members. 

“City officials and (MPD) are not aware of raids occurring in the community. There are other law enforcement vehicles that travel through Highway 243 or come to Mattawa that may resemble a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle,” the Mattawa PD statement said. 

The statement went on to encourage community members to verify rumors with local officials prior to posting to social media in relation to unconfirmed information and second-hand naratives.  

“Inaccurate information will cause unnecessary fear within the community,” the Mattawa PD statement said. 

The Quincy Police Department also cautioned against rumors. 

“Misinformation and rumors concerning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in Quincy neighborhoods conducting enforcement operations continue to be promoted without merit,” the Quincy PD notice read. “There are no such operations underway, and those rumors create unnecessary fear and disruption for our community members.” 

Quincy PD also echoed other agencies in indicating local law enforcement is prohibited by state law from assisting in or arresting for civil immigration offenses. 

Officers can enforce criminal law, but may not ask about immigration or residency status, according to multiple agencies. 

School Impact 

Quincy School District officials said state law also affects school operations. 

“District policy 4300 (is) aligned with RCW 43.10.310 (which) limits school involvement in immigration enforcement,” said a release from the district. 

Federal law also prohibits keeping undocumented children from receiving an education. Legal precedence is established in Plyler v. Doe, a U.S. Supreme Court case. The high court ruled that states cannot deny students a free public education based on immigration status and indicated those students have the same rights as U.S. citizens and permanent residents in that regard.  

At the state level, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal issued guidelines for districts to use if immigration authorities interact with campuses. (https://bit.ly/WAEDIMMIGRATION) .  

“We are receiving a lot of questions and concerns from schools, families, legislators, community members, and other partners,” said Reykdal. “As we monitor the actions of the new federal administration, I want to be clear: Washington state is and will remain a state that is unequivocally committed to supporting all of our students and their families.” 

Among other points, the guidelines advise districts to follow federal and state laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as FERPA, various U.S. Supreme Court rulings and the Keep Washington Working Act. Generally, student information such as residency are protected and must be withheld from authorities unless a subpoena is provided.  

Othello School District Superintendent Pete Perez wrote that OSD has a policy that conforms with the law. 

“We do not ask questions regarding immigration status during enrollment,” Perez wrote. “We do not collect information about citizenship or immigration status, we do not require Social Security numbers for enrollment, we do not provide legal advice to students for families. We do not act on behalf of immigration services.” 

Perez said OSD is committed to educating Othello students. 

“It’s important that we don’t let complex and potentially divisive issues distract us from that mission,” Perez wrote.  

Friday, Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray issued a statement that parallelled Perez’s. He indicated the district would remain focused on children and learning and not enforcement of federal law. 

“We will continue to protect students’ privacy while complying with federal, state and local laws,” Murray said. “If new developments occur, we remain committed to openly communicate impacts with our community.”