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Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen and Police Chief Loi Dawkins released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon acknowledging community concerns regarding actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rosen and Dawkins also reinforced their commitment to “protecting public safety, fostering trust, and standing firm in our values.”
“We will support our residents, reject fear as a governing force, and work to ensure that Edmonds remains a safe and welcoming place for all,” the statement said.
The statement also noted that in alignment with Washington State law — including the Keep Washington Working Act and RCW 10.93 — and Edmonds Police Department policy, “our officers do not conduct federal immigration enforcement. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and the Edmonds Police Department does not participate in or interfere with those activities.”
“Our officers are committed to delivering police services consistent with our core values of service, integrity, respect, and stewardship,” Rosen and Dawkins said. “When responding to calls for service, officers do not inquire about immigration status, and immigration status does not determine whether assistance or protection is provided.”
You can read the full statement below:
“Recent actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have deeply shaken many in our community, raising fear, uncertainty, and difficult questions about our shared values, both here in Edmonds and across our nation. In moments like this, leadership calls for clarity, compassion, and a steady commitment to the principles that define us.
“Across generations and political parties, American leaders have affirmed values that speak to who we are at our best. Our strength as a community is not defined by who we exclude, but by who we protect. President John F. Kennedy reminded the nation that “the best road to progress is the one that leads to respect for human dignity.” That belief must guide us now. Every person who lives, works, learns, or raises a family in Edmonds deserves to be treated with dignity and care.
“Our commitment in Edmonds is clear. We will continue to focus on what we can control: protecting public safety, fostering trust, and standing firm in our values. We will support our residents, reject fear as a governing force, and work to ensure that Edmonds remains a safe and welcoming place for all.
“The Edmonds Police Department’s role is to protect public safety and provide police services to everyone in the City of Edmonds, without regard to immigration status, nationality, race, ethnicity, or background.
“In alignment with Washington State law—including the Keep Washington Working Act and RCW 10.93—and Edmonds Police Department policy, our officers do not conduct federal immigration enforcement. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and the Edmonds Police Department does not participate in or interfere with those activities.
Our officers are committed to delivering police services consistent with our core values of service, integrity, respect, and stewardship. When responding to calls for service, officers do not inquire about immigration status, and immigration status does not determine whether assistance or protection is provided.
“Edmonds police officers will respond to all calls for service and investigate reports of suspected criminal activity when they occur. This responsibility applies equally to all individuals and is guided by Washington law and constitutional policing principles.
We encourage all community members to report crimes, seek help, and call 911 when assistance is needed. Trust and cooperation are essential to public safety, and the Edmonds Police Department remains committed to serving the Edmonds community with professionalism and respect.
“President Ronald Reagan once said, ‘We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.’ These principles are not in conflict. Upholding the law must be balanced with fairness, restraint, and humanity.
We remain hopeful that, together, we can rise above division, uphold our shared values, and move forward as one community — stronger, more united, and guided by dignity, compassion, and hope.”
-Mayor Mike Rosen
Police Chief Loi Dawkins
My question is can someone legally open carry a gun or have a gun with a concealed weapons permit at a protest. I have recently seen a Post in a Washington State Group people are admittedly and advocating for bringing a firearm to protests and I find this alarming. I asked this under the city and police post with no response. Does anyone know?
It is my understanding that individuals may carry a concealed weapon legally with the appropriate permit and are entitled to express themselves freely, whether through singing “kumbaya” or vocally protesting with phrases like “pigs off campus.” However, engaging in criminal activities, such as obstructing law enforcement or disregarding their directives, poses significant risks that jeopardize both personal safety and the safety of the officers involved. I brought this matter to the attention of one of our City Council members, who seemingly failed to grasp the reasoning behind why such actions are profoundly unwise. Can you believe it?
See, the thing is, a lot of people don’t accept that ICE is legitimate law enforcement. The masks, the lack of ID the ignoring of due process, the murdering, all that stuff. And since one of the most important principles upon which this country was founded is that the government reports to us, and if we don’t agree with what they are doing then we have the right to say so. Just like if you think this all fine then you have the right to say so too.
As for the gun at a protest, remember Kyle Rittenhouse? He was the kid who drove from Illinois to Wisconsin and shot
Three guys who he said were asssulting him. He was declared a hero by the right, so the rest of us assumed that bringing guns to protests is totally cool. But now it’s not? Or is it only conservatives can
bring guns? You tell me. I’d love to hear the reasoning here.
Heck, turns out a peaceful protest can include breaking into the Capitol, beating police officers, and using the desk of the person second in line to presidency as a toilet. Conservatives did that. So are there different rules depending on how you vote? I’ve read the constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, and I didn’t see that in either one.
Exactly. Trump and Kash Patel both supported conservatives who brought guns to protests. They don’t support anyone else bringing a legally permitted gun to a protest. They treated Kyle Rittenhouse as a hero and Trump pardoned all the violent protesters who beat up cops on Jan 6. The government is terrorizing people that disagree with them. That is what caused the Revolutionary War… the colonists didn’t want to be treated like that. It is in our nation’s most precious document the Constitution that people have the right to protest and unfortunately carry arms if they choose. I wish we didn’t have the second amendment but since we do have those rights they have to be protected for everyone equally.
Rob and Arlene: Jails and graveyards are full of people who believed law enforcement wasn’t legitimate. Whataboutism won’t hold up as a defense in court. When supported by State or local governments, it’s called an insurrection, and history has shown it rarely ends well. Remember the Civil War? Tread carefully, fellow citizens.
Brian,
So where are these jails and graveyards? As for whataboutism, in court it’s called case law and precedent. Yet another of the founding principles of country.
You to be believe that the central government has complete and unquestioned authority. Ever hear of the revolutionary war? That ended pretty well.
I know I won’t convince you of anything. Peaceful disagreement is another of those basic principles. I hope that we continue to have those rights in the future.
It would seem to me that under the current inflammatory situation, caused by the previous administrations “open border” policy, it would not be wise to carry a weapon to a protest, even if you are legally permitted to do so. I was raised in Alderwood Manor and one thing we were taught by our Dad was to say “yes sir and no sir” to police officers. No lip, just move along as quickly as possible. It seems that the anger on the left comes with no filters, and no boundaries. It is tragic that two people have died in Minneapolis, needlessly. They both refused commands from ICE and the results didn’t turn out like they expected. All the protesting in the world will not stop the deportation of illegal aliens. That is a fact. Did I her outrage from the left when the two WV Guardsmen were shot and one murdered on the streets of DC by the “fully vetted by Biden” Afghani from Bellingham? Too bad the “mainstream” media is dead and only pushes the left’s narrative.
Thank you Chief Dawkins and Mayor Rosen for reiterating the obvious. I would also like to see a commitment that any infringement of civil rights by ICE personnel in Edmonds will be thoroughly investigated by local, county and state authorities and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Good statement!
This statement is so long-winded and convoluted that no one can really tell what they are saying. What is wrong with a clear, concise statement saying that we don’t support ICE. We believe terrorizing residents is wrong and our police will not be supporting any ICE actions in our community? I think Rosen just likes to hear himself talk.
Virtue signalling to the left by Mayor and COP. I hope ICE agents are treated with “dignity and care” (like everyone else) as promised and not the hatred being formented on the left. I hope EPD would respond to any criminal assault against ICE agents doing their jobs. Just like they would if a Lynnwood PD officer were being assaulted. ICE was around long before the current administration and under Obama deported over 3 million persons who came in illegally or overstayed visas and/or were criminals. There were deaths to those who offered life threatening resistance.
Let’s follow the money. In 2003 when Homeland Security reorganized and formed ICE, this new agency had a budget of less than $6 billion and grew little through the Obama and 1st Trump years. Obama deported about 3 million and about 56 died while in ICE detention due to inadequate supervision or medical attention. Organizations like the ACLU complained. Police departments complained that ICE would not pick up people from jail whom ICE requested. This left departments open to civil right’s violations for holding people longer than permitted. With its budget ICE did target those with felony criminal convictions and without the dramatic arrests as we see now. Thus the level of complaints by most citizens was not at as it is presently. With the Big Beautiful Bill, in 2025 ICE gets $10 billion per year plus a supplement of $75 billion to spend over four years. Also ICE has $45 billion more for detenion purposes. Now we see ICE hiring people with pay packages competing against city police departments. ICE training is 47 days, not several months as usual, to honor President #47. How absurd! There are daily quotas for apprehensions that force irresponsible actions by ICE, such as detaining citizens and undocumented immigrants who have no felony criminal record. I see ICE’s abuses now and over the last several administrations as unacceptable.
Apparently all the 2nd. amendment protections of the right for citizens to possess and carry firearms are temporarily suspended if they attend any sort of protest, peaceful or otherwise, that dares to question the wisdom of their current government’s actions. It is perfectly right and legal for several masked and armed “Peace” officers to disarm a man at a protest and then shoot that man multiple times and then not even offer that man medical assistance after the fact. That seems to be the country that some people commenting here want to live in. Your welcome to like that idea if you must; but I choose to think it’s un-American and a quite repulsive situation for us all to just blindly accept in order to have a false sense of security.
Possessing a concealed firearm during the commission of a crime, such as obstructing or attacking a law enforcement officer, is not safeguarded by the Second Amendment. It’s not peaceful protest. Words hold little value; if you doubt this, go ahead and test the outcome. Get back to me and let me know it works out for you
Obstructing is an inherent part of peaceful protest, as long as you’re not physically attacking civil authorities. And even if illegal under the circumstances, the remedy is to cite or arrest the violator, not shoot them dead like ICE is doing in Minneapolis.
However, Mr. Drechsler’s warning is well placed. ICE officials are ill trained and poorly led, and protestors there do indeed need to fear for their lives, whether or not they are carrying a legal firearm.
Brian, do you ever look at actual evidence or even try to determine what really happened when you defend the positions you take? If you look at actual video footage that was taken by eyewitnesses in real time, you will see that all the guy was doing was using his camera to document and trying to assist another protester who had been pushed back by the ICE agents and then fell down. Even your beloved President Trump has looked at this video footage and realized it makes both he and his current version of the ICE program look bad. When a man is clearly disarmed and then shot multiple times while unarmed; any sane person would ask, “now was that really necessary?”
Yes it was probably stupid to take a firearm and lots of ammunition to a “peaceful” demonstration, but if we live in a world where you can be summarily executed for doing that, with no questions really asked, I think you have to ask yourself if that’s really a good thing. You do and I don’t – a simple disagreement really; and yes his rights may have been violated under the 2nd amendment – according to the NRA spokesperson commenting on it and other right to bear arms activists. Supposition and evidence are two different things. Two ICE agents have been suspended.
Clinton, I’ll defer to your expertise when it comes to assaulting or wrestling with law enforcement, as I’ve never had those experiences. I couldn’t care less about the NRA’s stance—fighting with the police while carrying a hidden weapon is a poor choice. Regards.
What is interesting is the use of the term – “we do not believe ICE is a legitimate agency” – it is. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the INA Act of 1952 (Title 8) established the rules. ICE, whether you believe it or not, has 400 different statutes to enforce. The Supreme Court, whether left or right leaning, has established that it is a Federal responsibility – not a State responsibility – to enforce immigration policy. Questioning the legitimacy of ICE deflects from the real issue – are States required to support efforts, are States able to impede enforcement, and do States have to actively cooperate (detainers, provide data, release information, etc) – that goes back to this statement, that, in my opinion, is clear – we are not going to cooperate or impede ICE investigations. Whether you think ICE has the right to question/detain or think the earth is flat – your call, your opinion. The law has not been suspended, reality has not ceased to exist, and much like the past 30 years of crappy Federal willingness to agree to immigration reform, no amount of hand wringing changes the law. The INA gives ICE the authority to question about immigration status with the ambiguity of Reasonable Suspicion – the Constitution gives ALL residents (legal or illegal) the ability to protect themselves.
Many people seem to think that Mayor Rosen and the Police Chief can suspend the law and openly and actively say that they are going to impede ICE investigations. They are not required (I think State Laws say they cannot actively provide) to aid in ICE investigations. I suspect if the suspect in question is a murderer or rapist or child trafficker or some other criminal – there would be a different approach – at least one would hope, but the law is the law.
If you’re pissed about what ICE is doing – call your Congressperson and stress the importance of changing Federal Law under 8 U.S.C. § 1357.
If you want to actively assist in educating all persons their Constitutionally protected rights and what they can and cannot do – I might recommend a site I found very helpful and informative:
https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-when-confronted-ice-flyer#item-4800
Wish we were more confident that EPD would be consulted with and collaborated with on law enforcement missions by external agencies. Seems that even a casual proximity to some law enforcement tactics in the roadway and on the sidewalk can end horribly.
Please turn over the criminals, terrorist and mentally ill. We don’t have the resources to care for the mentally ill who are legal citizens. You don’t hold criminals accountable for their actions, we already have so many repeat offenders on our streets. We definitely don’t need to keep terrorist here scheming the next 9/11. I don’t want good people getting kicked out of our country, it’s not fair but please turn over the bad guys that you arrest. Do not turn illegal immigrant, criminals back out onto our streets. This does not make us safe!
Agree with you 100% Heather!
How about the FACT that crossing the US Border, illegally, without permission, makes you an illegal alien and a candidate for deportation if ICE finds out where you are. If you are willing to harbor these fugitives, you are an accomplice and subject to punishment. If ICE presents a detainer for an individual, will the City of Edmonds cooperate with duly authorized Federal Agents? If the City says they won’t cooperate and the illegal alien commits a crime on someone’s body, I would hope the City would accept responsibility for their actions. Will they? I believe Laken Riley is due some consideration.
Patrick, if they were truly finding people who came here illegally, that is one thing, but they aren’t. Besides MURDERING two American citizens, the five year old and his father, the woman in south Seattle selling bread they snatched off the street and then poured her out hours later, most of the people they are catching are NOT criminals. Trump said they would go after criminals. They are NOT.
You are simply a dangerous person and one of the 35% who apparently still love Trump, so I hope I never see you in person…..
Well, you obviously have drunk the Kool Aid. Too bad.
Tracy, unfortunately the “35%” prove trump’s 5th Ave comment to be the most accurate statement he has ever made.
“I could shoot someone on 5th Ave, and I wouldn’t lose any supporters”.
Unfortunately indeed, and, from what I’ve witnessed, very true. I encourage everyone to watch FOX News to gain a little insight into why these people continue their blind devotion to all things Trump.
I agree, but it seems that any cooperation in this region would be looked upon poorly. I am not sure that they don’t advise of local operations or if they avoid it all together, but the Keep Washington Working Act sets pretty clear standards for State Law Enforcement Agencies.
If I believe ICE’s actions are unacceptable, what is to be done? To quote John Lewis, “Good Trouble.” Let’s get out and peacefully protest. Let’s make good trouble. Let’s make it known that we won’t accept warrantless violations of homes. We won’t accept arrests in courtrooms, hospitals, schools and churches. We will insist on due process. We will reconfirm that a person is not a criminal until they are convicted of a crime. We will accept the deportation of convicted criminals who are not citizens and after they have served their sentence of punishment. We will not accept the detention of people in conditions which deny basic needs such as sanitation, food water and medical care.
Brian, the visual evidence is clear. He did not attack the ICE agents; they attacked him with pepper spray and then bullets when he was unarmed; escalating instead of deescalating the situation which trained police normally try to do instead of just shooting people. For the record I have never wrestled with or assaulted the police, but I did once go to court with visual evidence that a WASP officer lied in her incident report about me allegedly not wearing my seat belt which i was indeed wearing when pulled over. I won the case without an attorney – just irrefutable evidence that the officer lied, which did not amuse the judge. You seem to hate it, but we are still a nation of laws where everyone, even non-citizens, are entitled to some sort of due process.
Patrick Penna, it is so true. I actually care about these poor people being plucked off the streets by a group of men wearing face masks and carrying weapons only because they have darker skin. It could traumatize a person for life. With all the technology, why is that even necessary?…. I don’t want criminals running around, but the regular nice, ordinary person whose family immigrated from Mexico years ago and just happens to have darker skin should not be part of this raids. They aren’t the “worst of the worst”. I really haven’t strong enough words to describe my disgust….. I actually enjoy meeting people from other countries…. They’ve broadened my life.
This is the Shoreline City Council’s response to the ice raids – clear and concise.
At the January 26, 2026 City Council meeting Mayor Betsy Robertson read the following statement on behalf of the whole Council regarding ICE tactics in Minneapolis:
We are deeply saddened and troubled by the enforcement tactics employed by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency across our nation. We unequivocally call for an immediate end to all federal law enforcement tactics that generate fear, disrupt families, and ultimately undermine the safety and stability of our community.
No one should fear for their own safety in their community, especially from those sworn to protect it. We believe that law enforcement must always act with integrity and professionalism. The Shoreline Police Department works hard to build trust throughout the community by treating all individuals with respect and dignity. We appreciate their commitment to creating a safe community for all here in Shoreline.
We reaffirm our commitment to creating an inviting, equitable, and safe community for all and to protecting the Constitutional right of all individuals to peacefully protest. Shoreline is a community that celebrates its diversity and respects the human dignity of everyone regardless of where they are from or how they arrived here.
Citing this Shoreline statement is very timely. Just today the Seattle Times is reporting on ICE agents arresting a Shoreline father and leaving his 2-year-old son in the back seat of his car~ https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/federal-agents-arrest-man-in-front-of-2-year-old-son-in-shoreline/
Unmarked vehicles, unidentified masked gunmen; not that far away. Let’s hope the Rule Of Law still applies.
Obviously we’re all concerned about the welfare of a child. What was the father arrested for? Rape murder, assault. Details Matter. And sometimes the lack of details tells the real story.
In reference to my previous comment, would it not be more logical for ICE to apprehend serious offenders in collaboration with local authorities at correctional facilities, thereby ensuring the safety of all parties involved? These misguided sanctuary policies in blue states have contributed to these issues. It is not a coincidence that states and municipalities lacking sanctuary laws have experienced more favorable results for their communities, enhancing safety for both law enforcement personnel and detainees. This approach is rooted in common sense, steering clear of political theatrics by those who oppose the current administration and seek to undermine the electoral process.
Nothing like that is even hinted at in the article. Actually the complete opposite was implied. Why are you speculating in such a horrible way? Worst of the worst? You can’t possibly believe that is what’s happening the country right now.
The majority of immigrants arrested have no criminal convictions. And this number is increasing rapidly since there is that quota of arrests for ICE agents to fulfill. I find your comment very disturbing Mr. Dreschler. You assume the worst of this man with no proof. Many of these people have valid asylum claims or even some other legal status. They are just picking up black and brown people off the streets instead of looking for the criminals. You are very uninformed. And we know that Noem and Miller and Trump are liars so you can’t trust a word they say.
Brian, if you are talking about Guzman in Shoreline, the people interviewed in the Times article were unaware of Guzman having a criminal record. Assuming he is undocumented in the country, that could be a misdemeanor or felony offense. How hard would it have been to arrest Guzman at home with the 2 year old with the mother? There was not much concern for the child by ICE. There was plenty of cruelty on their part.
With regard to the transfer of criminals from police to custody by ICE, I am not sure about your complaint. You seem to be talking about non-citizens accused of a serious crime, not one simply of an immigration nature. They should be tried. If guilty they should be imprisoned here and deported upon completion of their sentence. If their victims approve of serving the sentence in the criminal’s home country, fine. The problem is that ICE has often not picked up these criminals on time. Holding people once they are allowed to go free, waiting for ICE to show up has been problematic for authorities.
https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/no-mas-local-sheriffs-stop-honoring-immigration-detainers/#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20the,Amendment%20to%20the%20U.S.%20Constitution
If ICE knows criminals they want are going to be at a restaurant on Aurora Ave, they can figure out when one is getting out of jail. Many jurisdictions have learned to do their jobs and to let ICE do its.
Mr Dreschler if you read this CNN article you will see that they are picking up people that have a right to be here with sone kind of legal status. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/us/refugees-asylum-seekers-minnesota-detained-ice?cid=ios_app
Even conservative judges in Minnesota are sick and tired of the lies of the administration. The judges are saying things like the feds are not tethered to reality. They are deliberately disobeying the law to scare and abuse people instead of focusing on the convicted criminals.
Ignoring the directives of law enforcement or hindering their activities is not grounds for lethal force. Lethal force can only be used if there is a substantial risk of imminent physical harm to the officer or the public. For example law enforcement cannot use lethal force to stop a shoplifter from fleeing the store because he fails to stop when directed by police. Whether or not you believe the current rulings from the Supreme court on the Second Amendment are correct, until reversed by a future Court or a Constitutional Amendment, they are the law of the land. Under Supreme Court ruling individuals, with the proper permits, are lawfully allowed to carry a firearm while attending a protest. Numerous conservative Republicans, who strongly support the Second Amendment, are outraged that Administration stated that an individual who had an open carry permit should not have brought his weapon instead of a sign to the protest. The protester had the proper permit to carry his firearm to the protest. Furthermore, he had free speech rights to lawfully protest. Any infringement on those rights was unlawful by the authorities. Finally, how many citizens have been detained by ICE because of the color of their skin our the accent of their speech? This does not meet even the lower “reasonable suspicion” standard for a stop.
It’s obvious that Mr. Drechsler and the rest of about 35% of the whole country, no longer believe in due process which is a key part of the Constitution of the U.S.A. They are creating this “Immigration Emergency” (mainly in total Blue states that opposed Trump of course). Why do you think Trump has been pushing the idea that he might impose the Insurrection Act? There is no reason for these ICE agents to wear masks and be overly aggressive in enforcement; except to instill fear and panic in everyone in the country, not just the people trying to reside here without documentation. This is the adult version of, “the Boogyman will come to get you, if you don’t watch out.” It will be the forever shame of the modern Republican Party in America that they have enabled this sad behavior that really helps no one or anything.
Mr. Wright, it’s interesting that you are such an expert on what I think and feel. I do admire your courage to speak in absence of knowledge. I wish I didn’t have common sense; you seem so happy. You mastered the tone of authority without the inconvenience of depth. I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man. Best wishes, Brian.
You are so very right Clinton. And I fear that there are a bunch of Trump Lovers in our wonderful community. This is a very sad time in America. Caring humans in America, along with all of Europe can’t stand Trump, the dollar is collapsing against the EURO.
The issue of local police being required to turn over migrants who are undocumented to ICE creates a significant problem for our local communities. America is made up of dozens of different immigrant communities. Blacks from the Caribbean, Blacks from Africa, Hispanics from South America, Central America or Mexico. Asians from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islanders, Eastern Europeans, North Africans and Individuals from the middle east, both Sunni and Shia.
Many of these communities are tight knit and are fearful of law enforcement. As a result these migrant communities may be preyed upon by criminal elements because the criminals know the crime may not be reported. If we start mandating that local police must report undocumented migrants from these communities, their distrust of local police increases. This broken trust ultimately leads to increased crime in our cities.
Sanctuary is not just opposition to immigration enforcement but also a sound strategy for effective local policing by building trust with our migrant communities. The cooperation of our immigrant neighbors with crime prevention and reporting is what really makes us safer as a community.
Closing comments on this one. Thanks all — Teresa