Amidst Trump’s executive orders, Whatcom and Skagit counties show support for the undocumented immigrant community.
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s six executive actions on immigration, Whatcom County is witnessing shifts in higher education policies, a firm stance from local law enforcement and what many fear is just the beginning of a wave of undocumented immigrant arrests.
Trump’s actions include threats to cut funding for sanctuary cities and states and to prosecute officials who resist federal immigration enforcement. These threats extend to traditional safe zones for undocumented immigrants like churches, schools and hospitals.
Despite this, regional colleges and universities, local law enforcement and state immigration advocacy groups are reaffirming their commitment to protecting undocumented communities.
State support for undocumented immigrants
Washington’s leaders are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration, reaffirming their commitment to protecting immigrant communities.
On Jan. 20, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown issued a statement calling Trump’s executive actions “gravely concerning” and warning they “pose significant harm to thousands of Washingtonians.” He pledged to use the full power of his office to enforce state laws, uphold individual rights and ensure Washingtonian’s safety.
On Jan. 23, Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley released a statement reiterating the department’s commitment to the Keep Washington Working Act (KWWA) — a state law that prohibits local and state law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws.
“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,” Tanksley said in an open letter. “The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office will not take enforcement action based on immigration-related statuses. A person’s immigration status is not a factor in our criminal investigations unless there is an explicit basis in state law, such as an alien in possession of firearms.”
On Jan. 24, the Mount Vernon Police Department released a statement outlining its approach to immigration enforcement. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office has not released a statement at this time, but will be meeting with advocacy groups in the coming weeks.
On the same day, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal issued a statement for schools on protecting students from immigration enforcement. He urged districts to avoid collecting identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers or immigration status, that could discourage undocumented students from attending school.
“Our Constitution does not identify citizenship as a qualification to receive an education,” Reykdal said in the statement. “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.”
University and college policy changes
As concerns over immigration enforcement grow, regional colleges and universities are updating policies to align with state protections and ensure student safety.
On Jan. 15, Whatcom Community College (WCC) adopted Policy 543, the Immigrant Rights and Non-Discrimination Policy, limiting the college’s involvement in immigration enforcement to the fullest extent permitted under federal and state law.
The policy prohibits the college’s staff from disclosing a student’s immigration information to authorities without a court order or judicial warrant, and any release of such information requires approval from the college president or a designee.
WCC is also committed to providing students and their families with annual resources regarding immigration enforcement, including Know Your Rights materials, emergency preparedness forms for family separation and information on when student records are maintained or released under FERPA and other relevant laws.
On Jan. 17, Western Washington University President Sabah Randhawa announced updates to university policies, reflecting similar protections. The revisions limit the collection of immigration status to determining residency for tuition purposes and prohibit individuals engaged in immigration enforcement from campus or its vicinity without proper legal authorization.
On Jan. 24, Western officials — Chief Diversity Officer Jacqueline Hughes, Police Chief Katy Potts and Senior Counsel Kerena Higgins — held a public meeting to review the university’s immigration enforcement policies.
Higgins reaffirmed WWU’s compliance with the KWWA, which prohibits state or university resources from supporting immigration surveillance or enforcement. She clarified that universities are not required to collect or disclose a student’s citizenship status unless mandated by state or federal law, a court order, funding requirements or for de-identified census data collection.
Because Western is a public campus, the university cannot legally prohibit federal immigration enforcement authorities from entering publicly available spaces such as Red Square. However, these authorities cannot enter classrooms, offices or other restricted areas without proper authorization.
Potts outlined RCW 10.93.160 of the KWWA, which limits local and state law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. She emphasized that state and local agencies cannot provide non-public personal information unless required by law.
However, undocumented students may face risks off-campus, such as during traffic stops where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may request documentation.
Potts also noted that Western’s university police department regularly collaborates with Whatcom County law enforcement and receives intelligence from agencies across Washington.
As of Jan. 30, Skagit Valley Community College, Northwest Indian College and Bellingham Technical College had not released policies or statements addressing immigration enforcement and student protections.
All have rights
Vanessa Torres Hernandez, integrated advocacy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA), emphasized that Washington has long recognized the importance of immigrants and has taken steps to ensure the state remains a welcoming place for all residents.
“The Trump administration’s recent executive orders on immigration do not change Washington law, but cause chaos, confusion, fear and seek to sow division,” Hernandez said. “Whether it’s an attack on birthright citizenship or a move to fast-track deportations, immigrants should know they do have rights, including the right to due process, and no executive action can undo those rights.”
Hernandez encourages Washingtonians to familiarize themselves with their constitutional rights and the rights of those most vulnerable in our communities. She also reaffirmed the ACLU-WA’s commitment to challenging unconstitutional actions taken by the Trump administration.
The National Immigration Law Center offers a resource titled “Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Constitution — No Matter Who Is President” which highlights the fundamental rights granted by the U.S. Constitution, regardless of citizenship status.
ACLU-WA also provides Know Your Rights resources such as in the event of being stopped by the police or immigration agents or in an encounter with immigration agents on trains and buses. The documents list rights regardless of citizenship status, such as refusing a search of your belongings by saying, “I do not consent to a search” or not answering questions about your citizenship or immigration status.
Hernandez also encourages community members to use their voices and advocate for protection at the state and local levels.
“State and local governments have a lot of power, and we encourage people to contact their lawmakers to demand that Washington continue to protect immigrant communities, consistent with state and federal law and that the state invests in immigrant communities that are under attack,” Hernandez said.
Observers of ICE activity in the community can document and report incidents to regional and state ally programs. Resources include United We Dream’s hotline at 1-844-363-1423 or the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Deportation Defense Hotline at 1-844-724-3737; and the ACLU of Washington and WAISN.
— By Sophie Cadran
Also read in Salish Current:
• “And justice for all” — a people’s vigil in Friday Harbor sends a message,” Jan. 20, 2025
• “Stakes are high for undocumented residents,” Jan. 9, 2025
• “Bringing the butterflies home,” June 19, 2024