Tacoma adopted Resolution 39423 in 2017 declaring itself a welcoming city, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act under RCW 10.93.160 limits local police cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement statewide.
Tacoma's City Council adopted Resolution 39423 in 2017, declaring Tacoma a welcoming and inclusive city and directing departments to limit voluntary cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement, consistent with public safety. Statewide, the Keep Washington Working Act of 2019, codified at RCW 10.93.160, prohibits local law enforcement from inquiring into immigration status, holding people on civil ICE detainers without a judicial warrant, or providing non-public databases for civil immigration enforcement. Schools, hospitals, and courts also have access protections. Federal criminal warrants and detainers remain enforceable.
Local agencies that violate the Keep Washington Working Act can face Washington Attorney General investigations, civil suits, and corrective action plans, while federal criminal warrants are still honored.
See how Tacoma's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.