King County Ordinance 18467 (2017) limits county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.160) restricts state and local agencies from immigration questioning and detainers.
King County passed Ordinance 18467 in 2017, codified in King County Code Title 2.15, limiting county employees from inquiring about immigration status, honoring federal civil immigration detainers, or using county resources for civil immigration enforcement. The 2019 Keep Washington Working Act, RCW 10.93.160, extends similar limits statewide, and the Courts Open to All Act, RCW 10.93.250, restricts civil immigration enforcement at courthouses. The King County Sheriff's Office, jail, and Public Defender follow these rules. Federal criminal warrants are still honored; immigration detainers are not.
County employees who improperly inquire about immigration status, share information beyond what is required, or honor civil detainers can be subject to discipline, training, and county or state oversight investigations.
See how King County's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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