(The Center Square) – Defying Olympia, the Spokane Valley City Council passed a resolution Tuesday explicitly opposing what many call Washington’s “sanctuary state” law, despite residents’ pleas to uphold it.
Passed in 2019, state lawmakers enacted the Keep Washington Working Act, or KWWA, to build trust between immigrants and law enforcement. The policy doesn’t mention “sanctuary state” but prohibits agencies from using resources to aid federal immigration enforcement.
U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Wash., who represents the Spokane region in Congress, referred to the policy as such in a letter to state officials on Monday. Baumgartner and the House Judiciary Committee requested information on the KWWA, highlighting several conflicts with federal law.
Spokane Valley followed suit on Tuesday, declaring it’s “not a sanctuary city.”
“It is in compliance with federal and state law,” Deputy City Manager Erik Lamb told the council, “so it avoids the issues that we had under the previous resolution.”
Before the KWWA, the council adopted another resolution asserting that “Spokane Valley is not a sanctuary city.” However, that measure also directed local law enforcement to assist immigration enforcement; Tuesday’s resolution blurs the line, raising questions about how far the city is willing to go in supporting federal enforcement.
“The City Council pledges … to cooperate, assist, and work with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies for law enforcement activities that support the public safety of Spokane Valley residents to the maximum extent available and allowable under the law, including enforcement of 8 U.S.C. 1325 and 8 U.S.C. 1326,” according to the resolution.
The Valley asserted that it “does not agree with, support, or promote” the KWWA or similar policies out of Olympia. In passing the resolution, the council advocated for “changes” to the state policy, allowing local law enforcement to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Police Chief Dave Ellis told the council that he supports the resolution but reaffirmed his department’s compliance with state law. Taking a stronger stance against the KWWA could lead to action from state Attorney General Nick Brown, despite Baumgartner’s inquiry.
“Given the dangerous nature of sanctuary jurisdictions and their active role in thwarting federal immigration enforcement,” House lawmakers wrote to Brown, “the Committee is concerned about Washington’s role in undermining public safety in contravention of federal immigration law.”
Brown recently filed a lawsuit against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for cooperating with federal authorities on immigration enforcement. Advocates fear the city may be next.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels previously told InvestigateWest that he would comply with the KWWA but would also consider assisting if the federal government provided authority. Still, more than 30 people testified against the resolution, with some calling it “racist” and “divisive.”
Many claimed the resolution conflicts with state law and warned of potential lawsuits. Only two residents testified in support of the measure, though at least nine people from the city of Spokane, which neighbors the Valley, attended the meeting to state their opposition.
“This resolution is nothing more than political grandstanding that fuels division and creates unnecessary confusion around the rights and protections of our immigrant and refugee communities,” state Rep. Natasha Hill, D-Spokane, said in a news release. “The Keep Washington Working Act was enacted to protect Washingtonians and ensure local law enforcement resources are used to promote public safety—not to serve as an extension of federal immigration enforcement.
World Relief Spokane, which helps resettle immigrants in the area, also voiced opposition, as did Andres Grageda, legislative assistant to Spokane City Councilmember Lili Navarrete. The city of Spokane took a different stance last month, passing a resolution to reaffirm the KWWA.
“I’m begging you to please not pass this resolution,” Ariana Vargas, a Valley resident on the WA Commission on Hispanic Affairs, testified Tuesday. “Passing this resolution shows you agree with these heinous acts; it shows that the city of Spokane Valley is all for this hate.”
The Spokane Valley City Council passed the resolution with a 5-2 vote.
