Klickitat County Sheriff Defies Washington’s Sanctuary Policies, Pledges Full Cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement
In a stark contrast to the prevailing political landscape of Washington state, where sanctuary policies are firmly entrenched, Sheriff Bob Songer of Klickitat County has publicly declared his unwavering support for federal immigration enforcement, directly challenging state laws and aligning himself with federal authorities.
Sheriff Songer’s defiant stance is a clear departure from the state’s established protocols, which largely prohibit local law enforcement from actively assisting federal immigration authorities in enforcing immigration laws. This divergence highlights the deep divisions and ongoing debates surrounding immigration policy within the state.
Sheriff Songer made his position unequivocally clear in a video published through the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office’s official Facebook page. In the video, he expressed his belief that the Biden administration’s policies have effectively "allowed our country to be invaded" and pledged to cooperate fully with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcing immigration law.
His remarks have ignited a heated debate, placing him at odds with other law enforcement authorities in the state, as well as with Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson, who has consistently defended Washington’s sanctuary status and vowed to protect the rights of all residents, including undocumented immigrants.
Despite facing criticism and potential legal challenges, Sheriff Songer remains resolute in his commitment to cooperate with ICE, asserting that he is acting in the best interests of the citizens of Klickitat County. He emphasized his belief that Washington’s sanctuary law is unconstitutional and that his constituents are demanding a more proactive approach to immigration enforcement.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sheriff Songer elaborated on his stance, explaining that while Klickitat County is a small, rural area, it experiences regular transit of illegal immigrants, who often receive government benefits funded by taxpayers.
"When people have invaded our country across the southern border and even the northern border, Canada, our government, it’s their job to protect our American citizens by preventing that invasion," he stated.
Sheriff Songer questioned why any elected official would knowingly shield criminals from immigration enforcement, stating, "Why would any governor, any mayor, any county commissioner, or any sheriff or police chief knowingly allow criminals, serious criminals for murder, rape, whatever, protect them from immigration, protect them from ICE?"
He made a direct appeal to former acting director of ICE, Tom Homan, offering his full cooperation and inviting him to establish direct contact. "You bet I’m saying that Tom Homan, if you wish to contact me, I’ll give you my phone number, he can have me on speed dial," Sheriff Songer said.
Sheriff Songer identified two primary motivations for his bold stance: his belief that Washington’s sanctuary law is unconstitutional and his conviction that the citizens of Klickitat County are demanding a more assertive approach to immigration enforcement.
"I honestly believe that it’s the best thing for our citizens," he explained. "You know what’s neat about an elected sheriff versus police chief… an elected sheriff is elected by the people. His or her only boss is the people, not the governor, not the county commissioners, not anybody but the people themselves. That’s the sheriff’s boss."
Addressing criticisms that not all undocumented immigrants should be subject to arrest and deportation, Sheriff Songer argued that crossing the border illegally is a federal crime, regardless of intentions.
"They’ll try to tell you, ‘well, those who just waded across the Rio Grande, that’s a civil infraction,’ that’s bull, it’s a crime under federal law. Period. No matter what their intentions were," he stated.
Sheriff Songer further asserted that undocumented immigrants are aware they are breaking the law, yet continue to enter the country, drawn by the promise of free benefits.
"They’re coming into this country across the border with no legal representation at all. In other words, they know they’re breaking the law. Why not? They get free phones, free medical, free sign up, it’s Christmas for them," he said.
He contrasted the benefits offered to undocumented immigrants with the challenges faced by U.S. veterans and homeless citizens, suggesting that the government prioritizes undocumented immigrants over its own citizens.
"And at the same time, our government, Democrat government, they didn’t give a d— about veterans or homeless that are U.S. citizens," he said.
Acknowledging the political climate in Washington State, Sheriff Songer expressed concerns about living in a "blue, blue, blue sanctuary state."
"It’s scary to live in this kind of atmosphere," he said. "But I wanted to make it clear and make it known to Tom Homan and President Trump and Vance, the vice president, that as long as I’m in office… I will totally cooperate with it and I want them to know that all they got to do is reach out and ask for assistance in Klickitat County, and I’ll be there, standing at attention and willing to carry out the duties."
Sheriff Songer’s pledge of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement marks a significant departure from the prevailing policies in Washington State, setting the stage for potential legal battles and further polarization of the immigration debate within the state. His actions also present a direct challenge to the authority of state officials who champion sanctuary policies, potentially leading to a complex legal and political showdown.
