The Police Department does not enforce immigration policies. State law prohibits Shoreline Police officers from asking or collecting information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status, unless there is a connection with a state or local criminal investigation, and officers may not detain a person solely to determine immigration status.

Under state law and policy, the Department is restricted from sharing information with immigration officials, except under certain circumstances as required by law, such as a valid court order.

The Shoreline Police Department would not typically be involved in federal immigration operations at all. If requested, (if you dial 9-1-1) the Department would provide only support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts for public safety reasons. 

Washington law requires all state law enforcement agencies to have policies that ensure uniformed police officers can be clearly identified by the public and by other agencies. while they are on duty.

Look for badges, patches and logos to recognize a Shoreline Police officer or KCSO deputy.

Deputies typically:

• Wear a clearly marked uniform with the King County Sheriff’s Office insignia  
• Wear a marked uniform that includes their last name and/or unique employee number  
• May wear department-issued body-worn camera  
• Display an official badge 
• Operate marked patrol vehicles with county or contract city logos  
• Carry official KCSO identification  

KCSO deputies display identifiable information that is visible to the public, which may include their last name, badge, and unique employee number. Commissioned deputies also wear clothing marked with “SHERIFF” on the back, front, or sleeves of their shirts or jackets.

Learn more by watching video showing KCSO equipment and uniforms

Being a bystander will be the most common form of observation. Please seek guidance with your workplace employer or place of worship for clarity around their policies. Otherwise, we suggest the following. 

If you witness someone being detained by ICE - Print a copy to hang at home

• If you have a smartphone, record video of the interaction.
• Try to record any identifying information, like agency vests, badge numbers, car make and model, or car license plates.
• If officers ask you to step back, do step back, but you can keep recording video. You have a First Amendment right to record law enforcement actions in public spaces.
• Rather than calling 9-1-1, call/text the WAISN deportation defense hotline (1-844-724-3737) to alert rapid response advocates of ICE activity.
• Be ready to share specific information:
  • Where exactly are the agents?
  • How many immigration or law enforcement agents are there?
  • What are the agents doing?
  • How long have the agents been in that location?
  • What, if anything, do you know about the person being detained?
• Here are some common agency acronyms you may see on agents’ vests:
  • “ICE”: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • “ERO”: Enforcement and Removal Operations
  • “CBP”: Customs and Border Protection
  • “DHS”: Department of Homeland Security
• Call the family and/or emergency contact of the person being detained, if you know who they are. You can be the connection to ensure their support network is alerted as soon as possible.
• Write down everything you remember about what you witnessed.
• Get contact information and copies of any recordings or photos from other witnesses.

See ICE in your community? You can call/text the deportation defense hotline (1-844-724-3737) to report ICE activity, even if someone is not being actively detained.

Do not interfere or escalate the situation

• Do not touch, push, or hit an officer.
• Do not run away; if you leave the situation, walk calmly.
• Always speak respectfully.
• Remember: ICE agent misconduct cannot be challenged on the street.

Understand what consequences you could face if you intentionally break the law, whether for civil disobedience or any other purpose, such as obstructing an arrest.

Provide emotional support and remind people of their rights (especially if you speak the person's language)

If possible, provide emotional support for the person being detained, and remind them of their rights. You have a First Amendment right to talk to the person being detained. You can remind them of their rights and provide verbal support as long as you are not interfering with or obstructing the officers.

Remind them:

• “You can remain silent!”
• “You don’t have to answer questions!”
• “You have the right to call your lawyer!”
• “You don’t have to sign anything without a lawyer!”

No. Just like anyone living in the community, Shoreline officers are prohibited from obstructing federal law enforcement operations. Shoreline officers who obstruct federal officers may face the same consequences as anyone else, including arrest and detention.

Shoreline officers are committed to acting within their legal authority and making safety-focused decisions that protect both community members and themselves.

When appropriate and safe to do so, deputies may confirm law enforcement credentials, assess for threats to life or safety and possible state law violations, work to de-escalate situations, and document the encounter through written reports and body-worn camera recording.

The Shoreline City Council adopted Ordinance 1059 in April 2026, which prohibits the use of city property or city-controlled property for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant or court order. This includes places like public parks, open spaces, parking lots, and City buildings. Officers cannot use these areas as base, staging area, or processing sites for civil immigration enforcement operations.

Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 9.40

What will Shoreline Officers do?

If a Shoreline officer sees this happening without a judicial warrant or court order, the officer will follow KCSO policy, which includes:

• Verify the federal officers' credentials 
• Tell the federal officers the activity is not allowed on city property under Shoreline Municipal Code 
• Ask them to stop and leave 
• Document the encounter, including any refusal to leave 
• Notify a supervisor 

Shoreline Police will notify the City Manager whenever federal immigration agents conduct enforcement activities on City-owned property.

What Shoreline officers cannot do?

Shoreline officers may not use force to make federal officers leave. This policy does not apply to judicial warrants, court orders, or criminal law enforcement.

What should you do?

If you see possible civil immigration enforcement on city property, call 911.

A Shoreline officer may be sent to check the situation.

Call 911. A call receiver will ask questions to understand the situation. Depending on your responses, a Shoreline officer may be dispatched to the location.

When the Shoreline officer arrives, they will follow KCSO policy, this may include:

• Turning on their body-worn camera  
• Assessing the situation  
• Speaking with the person who called 911 – using interpretation services if needed  
• Verifying law enforcement credentials, if appropriate  
• Working to de-escalate the situation  
• Documenting the incident  
• Reporting the incident to a supervisor.

Shoreline officers enforce state criminal laws but do not have authority to determine whether a federal officer is exceeding their legal authority. That determination is made by a court. If you believe your rights were violated, you should direct your concerns to the appropriate federal agency or seek legal counsel. Shoreline officers cannot intervene on that basis.

For free legal services related to immigration matters, you can contact the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) at 1-800-445-5771.

No. Shoreline officers have no authority over federal operations.

Every situation is different and can change quickly. When a deputy arrives, they will follow KCSO policy. This includes turning on their body-worn camera, assessing the scene, and taking appropriate action based on what is happening at the moment. A Shoreline officer’s response may include working to de-escalate the situation, contacting the person who called 911 and any witnesses, verifying law enforcement credentials, notifying a supervisor, and documenting the incident.

Under Washington State Law RCW 10.93.190 identifiable on-duty law enforcement officers are required to intervene if they witness another law enforcement officer engaging or attempting to engage in the use of excessive force. This law, however, does not apply to federal law enforcement officers. This means Shoreline officers (or other Washington law enforcement officers) do not have a legal duty to intervene if they witness a federal law enforcement officer engaging or attempting to engage in excessive force.

When Shoreline Police respond to complaints of excessive force, the action taken may range from collecting available evidence to some form of intervention, depending on the facts and circumstances known at the time.

Shoreline Police will report any possible criminal violations by federal immigration agents to the City Manager and the Prosecutor’s Office.

If the incident involves suspected criminal activity, such as actions that result in serious bodily injury or death, Shoreline Police will share all relevant evidence it has with the Prosecutor’s Office to assist in determining the appropriate legal action.

When a Shoreline officer arrives, they will follow KCSO policy, this includes:

• Turning on their body-worn camera  
• Assessing the situation 
• Speaking with the person who called 911 – using interpretation services if needed 
• Verifying law enforcement credentials, if appropriate 
• Working to de-escalate the situation 
• Documenting the incident 
• Reporting the incident to a supervisor. 

If a Shoreline officer responds to a call about federal immigration enforcement activity, they will document: 

• Why the community member called 911 
• Attempts to check the identity of the federal officers on scene 
• What happened at the end of the call 

Deputies will save all documentation in KCSO's official systems, including dispatch records, written reports, and body camera video.

Shoreline Police will report any incidents involving federal immigration agents to the City Manager and Prosecutor’s Office.

RCW 10.116.052 prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public in performing their duties. It bans opaque face coverings such as balaclavas, tactical masks, gaiters and ski masks. It includes exemptions for required personal protective equipment and head and facial coverings worn for religious purposes.

However, a violation of the law is a civil infraction and not a criminal offense. The law gives anyone detained by an unlawfully masked officer the right to take civil action, allowing them to seek compensation, attorney fees and other remedies deemed appropriate by the court. It does not give Shoreline officers the right to arrest or interfere with federal officers who violate the law.

Other actions allies can take

• Stay calm and informed
• Share this resource with friends, family, and others in your community.
• Save the deportation hotline numbers in your phone contacts, so you have this information on hand if you need it.
• Print "know your rights" red cards to have at your home and/or workplace
• Attend a bystander or rapid response training from a free, reputable online source. 
  • Right To Be 
  • WAISN Rapid Response Webinars

• Consider starting a neighborhood watch group - Check out States at the Core 
• Be alert to digital scams
  • Be skeptical of social media posts promising new or rapid immigration relief
  • There is no communication from the government via WhatsApp or social media
  • Generally, there is no communication by phone --with limited exceptions
  • Avoid sharing unverified information on social media

• Report notario fraud to the Attorney General's Office
  • Victims file a complaint at www.atg.wa.gov or call 1-800-551-4636. Spanish is available. 

• Contribute to mutual aid funds or donate to any of the organizations listed on the right-hand bar working to protect immigrants and their rights.

• Learn about and join efforts of existing community members for accompaniment: waisn.org, JCIJ NW, The Church Council of Greater Seattle, or other ways to directly help (AIDNW.org, fairfightbondfund.org, NDLON Adopt a Day Labor Corner - Shoreline)

Review these Northwest Immigrant Rights Project materials and information from ACLU's Know Your Rights webpage.

Create a safety plan with your family. This can include: 

• Having an emergency contact list.
• Keeping copies of all legal documents in a safe place that the emergency contact can access.
• Consult with a reputable immigration lawyer (print this Centro de la Raza Resource List) to explore any options to attain immigration status.
• Memorize phone numbers for family members and an immigration lawyer.
• Get passports for children who are U.S. citizens.
• Put together a family care plan or temporary guardianship for children, should a parent be detained.
• Visit lcycwa.org to make an appointment for safety planning

Consider coordinating a defense plan, in addition to a family safety plan

• See this resource specific to Colorado as an example 

 

• Review workplace policies and discuss how staff should respond if ICE visits. (search nilc.org for guides)

• Print and keep Red Cards available for employees and customers who may want them. Printable red cards can be found at ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas. 
• Consider reaching out to WA Neighborhood Defense for materials that you can display at your business to show that it is a safe place for immigrants.
• Visit Washington Commission on Hispanic Affairs for I9 Inspection Webinars: https://www.cha.wa.gov/small-business-resources.
• Check in with your local neighborhood group.