Spokane Ordinance C-35601 adopted in 2017 limits city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Washington's Keep Washington Working Act, RCW 10.93.160, extends similar limits statewide for state and local agencies.
Spokane City Council adopted Ordinance C-35601 in 2017, codifying that the Spokane Police Department does not enforce federal civil immigration law and does not detain individuals based solely on civil ICE detainers without a judicial warrant. The ordinance prohibits using city resources to investigate immigration status absent a criminal investigation. Washington's Keep Washington Working Act, RCW 10.93.160, enacted 2019, layers statewide limits requiring law enforcement to accept ICE detainers only with judicial warrants and restricts non-public spaces in jails, courts, and schools from immigration enforcement without proper authorization. Spokane Public Schools follow related state guidance for student privacy.
Violations of the Keep Washington Working Act can trigger Attorney General enforcement under RCW 10.93.160; city policy violations are addressed administratively by the Spokane Police Ombudsman.
See how Spokane's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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