Memo gives Pima County workers tips for dealing with ICE agents

A memo from the Pima County’s top prosecutor advising county officials on how to deal with federal immigration action at county facilities will be available to the public, the Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday in a unanimous vote.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover sent to county directors and elected officials a memo Jan. 27, that said county employees should ask for a copy of the warrant and obtain and agent’s credentials — such as name, agency and badge number — prior to letting them proceed with enforcement activities on county property.

“Reception areas” in county facilities will have the following statement posted in a visible spot: “I want to be as helpful and cooperative as I can with any lawful orders. My instructions require me to quickly get a copy of your warrant and any paperwork you have, as well as your full credentials including name, agency, and badge number. I will share this information with my point of contact at Main County who will quickly consult with attorneys in order to comply with your request as soon as possible.”

Conover’s memo goes on to say county employees “should not in any way obstruct agents” in situations where a warrant could be served within county facilities.

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“Unlike local agencies, federal agents are not always wearing body worn cameras, but our employees should assume they are being recorded,” Conover noted. And while the county “must comply with lawful orders and should make all efforts to do so as quickly as practicable,” it also must protect itself “and its employees from unauthorized interference with the fulfilment of statutory and other duties and, in the worst case, from fraudulent actors.”

Conover’s memo also provided “initial analysis and guidance” on two questions posed to her office:

First, whether federal agents can “seek entry or information from any Pima County facility or building.” They can, in the event of an emergency or with a “judicial warrant deemed valid” by the prosecutor’s office. Second, whether county directors can stop the entry of federal agents “if, for example, their purpose is to interfere with the employment” of DACA residents, often called dreamers. Employees “should not attempt to physically stop the entry of federal agents and should follow guidance” to ensure the county and its employees “are protected,” Conover said.

“In the near future, the County may consider establishing procedures regarding immigration enforcement ... But first and foremost, our employees should not put themselves or the County at risk or attempt to physically interfere or obstruct an immigration officer in the performance of their duties,” Conover said in her memo. “That said, County Directors should know that a so-called ‘raid,’ or rather any inquiry by a federal agent asking for any kind of entry or information that would not otherwise be accessible to the public should come with a warrant.”