SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council will consider an ordinance Monday aimed at restricting federal immigration enforcement on city-owned property, requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to present judicial warrants before conducting operations in those areas.
The proposed ordinance would establish immigration enforcement-free zones on city property and parking lots, with posted signs identifying these protected areas. Under the measure, immigration officials would need a warrant to detain or remove someone from city-owned locations.
Immigration advocates say the proposal addresses growing fear within Spokane’s immigrant community over the past year.
“It is saying that we need to stand up to do everything we can to protect our communities,” said Sam Smith, co-founder of Manzanita House, an organization that provides low-cost legal assistance to immigrants.
Smith described current immigration enforcement trends as concerning.
“I think that, really what we’re seeing around the country and in Spokane in terms of immigration enforcement, I think is really shocking,” he said.
The ordinance would require the city to identify all relevant properties and post signs stating the property may not be used for civil immigration enforcement, including as a staging area, processing location, or operations base.
However, some community members worry the measure could create problems.
“I think that it’s uncooperative,” said Andrew Williams, a Spokane resident who opposes the ordinance.
Williams says the proposal will not benefit the community because it goes against working with the federal government.
“Just shutting the door and not working with the federal government and doing nothing doesn’t really help anybody,” Williams said.
Online discussions and past city council meetings have raised questions about the ordinance’s legality and potential challenges.
Despite those concerns, Smith maintains the proposal sends an important message.
“I think even as a statement of intent of welcome, of support, I think it is important. And I’m glad that it’s happening,” he said.
The City Council is scheduled to hold its first reading of the ordinance Monday.
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