Lake County Sheriff Won't Focus On Immigration: Letter

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg joined dozens of sheriffs nationwide in signing a letter to immigrant communities saying their law enforcement agencies wouldn't focus on immigration enforcement. The letter asks for immigrants' trust in calling law enforcement agencies.

The letter references the Aug. 3 shooting in El Paso, Texas, and raids the next week in Mississippi, acknowledging that many immigrant communities are afraid of deportation or worse.

"Our primary job is to maintain public safety. To do that, we need your trust," the letter reads. It continues, "[w]e want you to feel safe in our communities and comfortable calling law enforcement to report crimes, serving as witnesses, and asking for help in emergencies. When you feel safe and comfortable reaching out to us, we can keep everyone safer."

The letter said they would not rule out cooperating with federal immigration agencies, but only under certain conditions: "when our safety is at stake.

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"But immigration enforcement is, first and foremost, a federal responsibility," the letter said adding they would prefer to keep local resources for local matters.

"Please continue to call on us. We are here to serve everyone who lives here and committed to keeping everyone safe," the sheriffs said.