A driver who dialed 911 to report being followed ended up detained by federal immigration agents inside Renton City Hall on Monday, after being directed to the police counter, according to Renton Police Chief Jon Schuldt. The department says it did not help plan or carry out the arrest and that officers were not told in advance. Schuldt also reiterated that Renton officers will serve everyone in the city “with professionalism, respect, and fairness,” regardless of immigration status.
Chief Schuldt's account
In a Facebook post labeled “For Community Awareness,” Schuldt said officers discovered that the people tailing the driver were federal agents who followed the vehicle to City Hall while carrying out an immigration enforcement operation. Those agents then took the driver into custody, according to a post from the Renton Police Department. The post also notes that the driver had called the regional dispatch center and was told to go to the Renton police counter at City Hall.
State law limits local participation
Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act limits how state and local agencies can take part in civil immigration enforcement. The state Attorney General’s Office publishes “Know Your Rights” information and model policies for local agencies, according to the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. Within that framework, local officials stress that Renton police do not enforce federal civil immigration law and instead focus on responding to crimes and safety threats.
Dispatch and City Hall's role
Valley Communications Center serves as the regional 9-1-1 dispatch for South King County and routes emergency callers to police, fire and medical services, according to Valley Communications Center. Schuldt’s post states that ValleyCom directed the driver to the Renton police counter at City Hall, where federal agents ultimately took the person into custody. The department says it was not involved in planning or executing the operation, according to the Renton Police Department.
What city officials are telling residents
Mayor Armondo Pavone and other Renton leaders have repeatedly said local officers will not assist with federal civil immigration enforcement and have urged anyone who fears for their safety to call 911, as the city noted earlier this year. The city’s guidance also explains how to recognize a federal agent and states that Renton officers will verify credentials and take action on any criminal conduct, according to the City of Renton.
What’s still unclear
The Facebook notice does not identify which federal agency carried out the arrest or whether agents had a warrant, and Renton officials did not release additional public details in the initial post. City guidance tells residents who have questions or believe they are being followed to call 911 and report what they see so dispatchers and officers can respond.
