Shoreline, WA Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)

Chapter 9.40 is a locally enacted, codified restriction on federal civil immigration enforcement, not a recitation of state or federal law. Section 9.40.030(A) bars city-owned or city-controlled property, defined broadly in § 9.40.020 to include building interiors and exteriors, parks, parking lots and garages, vacant lots and unopened rights-of-way, from being used as a staging area, processing operations location or operations base for civil immigration enforcement, unless immigration officials present a valid court order or judicial warrant. Section 9.40.030(B) separately forbids any city department, division, officer or employee from consenting to such use without a valid court order, and states that any purported consent given without one is not deemed consent by the city.

The chapter reaches only civil immigration enforcement activity on city property; § 9.40.010 expressly disclaims any effect on the execution of lawful judicial warrants or enforcement of criminal law, and bars any civil suit against the city or its staff for an alleged violation of the chapter. Under § 9.40.040, the city manager may post signage on city property stating the prohibition and may install physical barriers such as locked doors or gates to limit access. Enforcement authority rests with the city attorney, who under § 9.40.050 may use any legal enforcement mechanism available under the law; the chapter does not create a private right of action for residents.