In recent
weeks there have been several inquiries regarding the Humboldt County Sheriff’s
Office policy regarding immigration enforcement and cooperation with the
Department of Homeland Security; US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The
Sheriff’s Office recognizes that Executive Orders from President Trump and
immigration laws are a complex and sensitive matter and this has been
highlighted in recent weeks. I acknowledge the necessity of communicating with
all federal law enforcement regarding dangerous criminals booked into county
jails. This need arises from a desire to
protect all members of our community from those who pose a credible public
safety threat, not from a desire to enforce immigration law on a day-to-day
basis. As the Sheriff of Humboldt County, I serve to protect the public safety
above all else. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office mission is to provide
competent, effective and responsive public safety services to the people of
this community. We recognize our
responsibility to maintain order, while affording dignity and respect to all
persons. We hold ourselves to the
highest standards of professional and ethical conduct while serving the people
of Humboldt County. Enforcement of
immigration laws is not the job of the Sheriff and my office does not and will
not conduct proactive or reactive immigration enforcement duties in this
community. Our #1 priority is to
investigate crime and make our community safe.
My office would like to encourage the community to continue to report
crimes and to seek protection and assistance from the Sheriff’s Office,
regardless of their immigration status.
Mike Downey
Sheriff