SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash – The City of Spokane Valley could vote this week to ignore state law that requires police to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, unless specifically required by law.
The Keep Washington Working Act, passed in 2019, prohibits agencies from asking about immigration or citizenship status unless it directly relates to a violation of state and local law.
A resolution being considered by the Spokane Valley city council says there’s a potential conflict and the resolution would redeclare that the city is not a sanctuary city.
Under the resolution being considered Tuesday night, the city would declare that “cooperating with County, State and Federal law enforcement agencies is an important part of maintaining law and order and public safety.”
“It is the policy of the City Council that the City of Spokane Valley is not a sanctuary city which means the City Police department will ask for proof of legal residence of the United States when appropriate and City employees are not discouraged from asking for proof of legal residence as appropriate when conducting City business,” the resolution reads.
The Spokane city council recently took action on this in the opposite direction, voting 5-2 on a resolution affirming its compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act.
The State of Washington has already taken action against at least one jurisdiction for not following the law.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced a lawsuit against Adams County, alleging the sheriff’s office is illegally working with federal officials on immigration enforcement.
Spokane Valley will take public comment on the resolution at its meeting Tuesday night.
That meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley city hall.
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