Local

Sheriff says he won't do immigration roundups

This week there were social media rumors of an immigration roundup at the Home Depot in North Seattle – a place known for undocumented day laborers on the edge of the property.

But those reports are untrue, King County Sheriff John Uruqhart said. He also told KIRO 7 his deputies will not do the work of immigration officials.

Seattle police and city employees also are prohibited from inquiring about immigration status, unless the officer has a reasonable suspicion that person is here illegally after being deported and is committing or has committed a felony.

KIRO 7 Reporter Dave Wagner talked to Urquhart about the immigration roundup rumors and how he appeared at a community event without his uniform because of community fears.

The point, Urquhart explained, is to help community members feel comfortable reporting crimes to local police.

Wagner talked to an undocumented mother and an undocumented day laborer who said exactly that: There’s a community perception among some undocumented immigrants that they can no longer go to the police.