Bellingham, WA Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- BMC ch. 2.25
- Enacted by
- Ord. 2017-02-008
- Core rule
- No civil-immigration detention w/o warrant
- Private lawsuit
- Not created, BMC 2.25.090
Summary
Bellingham police cannot use city funds solely to enforce civil immigration law and cannot detain anyone on a civil immigration violation without a judicial warrant or order.
City police officers shall not use any city funds or resources solely to enforce civil or administrative federal immigration laws. “Enforce,” as used in this section, includes stopping, questioning, interrogating, investigating, or arresting an individual. Absent a judicial warrant or judicial order, an officer shall not detain or hold any individual solely for the purpose of investigating or enforcing a violation of civil or administrative federal immigration laws or related civil immigration warrant or detainer request, including those identified in the National Crime Information Center database. The Bellingham police department shall not conduct sweeps or other enforcement efforts to detain individuals solely on the basis of a violation of federal civil or administrative immigration laws. [Ord. 2017-02-008 § 2].
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
BMC ch. 2.25, adopted by Ord. 2017-02-008, bars city police from using funds or resources solely to enforce civil or administrative federal immigration laws and from stopping, questioning, or detaining someone solely over a civil immigration matter absent a judicial warrant. BMC 2.25.040 bars officers from asking crime victims, witnesses, or people seeking help about immigration status unless needed for a criminal investigation. City personnel generally cannot condition services on immigration status under BMC 2.25.020. The chapter preserves cooperation on suspected criminal activity and the I-9/E-Verify process under BMC 2.25.060.
Violations & Fines
The chapter creates no private right of action (BMC 2.25.090); compliance runs through police department policy and training under BMC 2.25.070, not court-enforced penalties against the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Bellingham police ask about my immigration status?
Does Bellingham comply with ICE detainer requests?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
Compare Bellingham to another location·View the Washington immigration policy overview
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