Bellingham Police Clarify Immigration Enforcement Role

Department says it doesn't participate in civil immigration actions or ask about status.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Bellingham Police Department has released a video clarifying its stance on immigration enforcement, stating that officers do not participate in civil immigration arrests or detentions, nor do they ask about a person's immigration status. Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig emphasized that the department's role is to serve all residents, regardless of immigration status, and that federal agents can be hard to identify compared to local police.

Why it matters

This clarification comes amid an increase in federal immigration enforcement actions, and aims to reassure the community that local police will not be involved in such activities. It also highlights the potential confusion between federal and local law enforcement roles when it comes to immigration issues.

The details

In the video message, Chief Mertzig stated that Bellingham police officers do not participate in arrests for civil immigration enforcement, such as deportations or detentions, and they do not ask about a person's immigration status. She noted that federal law enforcement agents can be difficult to identify, often wearing generic 'police' gear, whereas Bellingham officers always wear clear department uniforms and badges. Mertzig and Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley have both reiterated their adherence to the state's Keep Washington Working Act, which prevents local law enforcement from pursuing charges based solely on immigration status.

  • The Bellingham Police Department released the clarifying video on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Rebecca Mertzig

The police chief of the Bellingham Police Department.

Donnell Tanksley

The Whatcom County Sheriff.

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What they’re saying

“Bellingham police officers do not participate in arrests for civil immigration enforcement, like deportations or detentions, and they do not ask about immigration status.”

— Rebecca Mertzig, Police Chief (MyBellinghamNow.com)

The takeaway

This clarification from the Bellingham Police Department aims to reassure the community that local law enforcement will not be involved in federal immigration enforcement actions, and that they are committed to serving all residents regardless of immigration status.