SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The Spokane Valley City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night to formerly declare it is not a ‘Sanctuary City.’
The resolution passed 5-2, with Councilmembers Wick and Higgins opposing.
Deputy City Manager, Erik Lamb, said the resolution attempts to communicate a ‘balancing act’ between Washington state and federal law.
The Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.160), passed in Washington state in 2019, prohibits agencies from asking about immigration or citizenship status, unless it directly relates to a violation of state and local law.
This act is in opposition to the Trump Administration’s federal immigration enforcement.
The newly passed resolution states that The city of Spokane Valley is not a ‘Sanctuary City,’ and that the city is openly against the Keep Washington Working Act.
The resolution reads, in part:
“The City is not a “Sanctuary City.” The City has not supported and does not support allowing individuals who are in the United States in Violation of Federal law to reside within the City.””The City does not agree with, support, or promote RCW 10.93.160 or any similar or related State law or regulation.””As long as such laws exist, they should be interpreted and enforced in a manner that allows enforcement of 8 U.S.C 1325 and 8 U.S.C 1326 to the maximum extent permitted by Constitutional, Federal, State and local laws.
When asked if the resolution would have any affect on the way law enforcement operate in Spokane Valley, Erik Lamb said ‘no.’
He said it would not permit law enforcement to do anything in violation of federal or state law.
Those in favor of the resolution say Washington state law interferes with local law enforcement’s ability to prioritize public safety.
Immigration advocates say the Keep Washington Working Act helps people feel comfortable calling for help, regardless of immigration status.
“Sanctuary cities are actually safer in general compared to cities that are not. And they are safer because immigrants know that if I call the ambulance now for help I will not be questioned first about my immigration status,” said Jennyfer Mesa of Latinos en Spokane, a local nonprofit that supports Spokane’s Latino population.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, which contracts with the Spokane Valley Police Department, said regardless of the resolution, it will continue to operate in accordance with the Keep Washington Working Act.
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