Sheriff Chris Nanos: No deputies taking part in Tucson-area ICE busts

If you see an immigration raid going down in Pima County, Sheriff Chris Nanos wants you to know it’s not deputies in his department doing the rounding-up.

Nanos reached out directly on social media, posting a video succinctly explaining his stance on recent federal immigration law — basically to say that his department will not enforce it.

“It’s quite simple,” Nanos said, sitting calmly at his desk and addressing viewers whose concerns about immigration and deportation are at an all time high. “We provide public safety for all those who are in our community.

“Whether you are a visitor, whether you are a resident, it doesn’t matter. Your immigration status is not a concern to us. What we don’t do is we don’t enforce immigration law.”

Nanos said enough federal funding goes toward border patrol, and he’s choosing to use his allocated funds where it matters most — locally.

“The resources I have are certainly limited and they’re certainly nowhere near the resources that the federal government has to complete their mission,” Nanos said. He assured viewers that the sheriff’s department is not involved in any raids occurring within the county.

“What I won’t do is politicize this problem,” Nanos clarified. “If there’s a problem on the border, the federal government should deal with that. That’s their problem and their issues.”

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Instead, Nanos said his deputies should remain focused on the public safety and the crimes occurring within Pima County, not on the fringes where Nanos said only .001% of the department’s 140,00 calls a year originate.

He was adamant that anyone calling 911 will never be asked about their status as a citizen.

Nanos said he understands those with non-citizen status might be hesitant to contact law enforcement during an emergency for fear of deportation, but that is not necessary. “Our concern is, what’s going on at that moment in time. Is there a crime being committed and how do we resolve those issues?,” Nanos said.

When it comes to an over-crowded prison, and a possible influx of illegal immigrant inmates, Nanos said it won’t likely be a problem.

If deputies come across someone who has state warrants, naturally, he said, they could be booked into jail. However, that won’t be the case of if the charges are strictly for criminal deportation.

Similarly, Mayor Regina Romero and other top city officials on Monday issued a statement regarding local enforcement of immigration laws that outlines what officers can — and cannot — do under the Tucson Police Department’s general orders.

“Enforcement of immigration violations arising out of a person’s unauthorized presence in the United States is reserved for federal agencies, and is not part of the mission of TPD,” Romero said in the written statement. “All of (the Tucson Police Department’s) law enforcement activities are carried out in a manner that recognizes and protects the civil rights, privileges, and immunities of all persons in Tucson.”