SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley City Council will vote Tuesday night on a resolution that would declare the city’s opposition to Washington’s immigration enforcement law.
In 2016, The City of Spokane Valley passed a resolution that stated it was not a sanctuary city and that local law enforcement had the right to assist other law enforcement agencies with enforcing immigration law.
However, in 2019, The Keep Washington Working Act, passed in Washington state, prohibiting agencies from asking about immigration or citizenship status unless it directly relates to a violation of state and local law.
The newly proposed resolution, if passed, would state 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.”
Spokane Valley officials in favor of the resolution say it ensures the city’s top priority is public safety.
“We’ve always tried to support our public safety, our Sheriff’s department,” said Mayor Pamela Haley. “I think sometimes the laws that come out of our state don’t support law enforcement.”
Immigration advocacy groups say the Keep Washington Working Act is necessary so everyone can feel comfortable to call for help when needed, regardless of immigration status.
Tuesday night’s meeting will allow for public comment.
You can read the full resolution here.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
