(Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Press Release, August 22, 2024)
Kootenai County Falsely Identified as a Sanctuary County
It was brought to our attention that Kootenai County was identified as a sanctuary county in recent publications. This is completely false! The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has an excellent working relationship with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) to remove criminal aliens from our county. All illegal aliens are held within our jail until ICE can arrange further processing and transportation to one of their facilities. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office temporarily houses illegal aliens from throughout the Pacific Northwest for ICE.
Sheriff Robert “Bob” Norris has been very clear on his stance on illegal immigration by the following:
- He has opposed and opposes any bill in the Idaho Legislature that would provide driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.
- He has testified in Idaho legislative hearings to strengthen laws on illegal aliens in Idaho.
- He has confirmed that no ICE petition for a criminal alien has been denied.
A local representative of Department of Homeland Security stated Kootenai County is not on the official publication as a sanctuary county. DHS also noted that the link is to a non-governmental website.
As long as Sheriff Norris is Sheriff of Kootenai County, the county will not be a sanctuary or haven for illegal immigration.
Sheriff Robert B. Norris
By: Lt. Zachary Sifford
