Spokane city leaders voted Monday to expand what they call “immigration enforcement free zones” across much of the city while also banning private property from being used as federal immigration detention facilities.
The Spokane City Council approved the measures in two 6-1 votes, with Councilmember Michael Cathcart casting the lone dissenting vote.
Under the first ordinance, nearly all property owned, leased, operated, or controlled by the city could be designated as an immigration enforcement free zone. The policy prohibits city employees from allowing federal immigration agents to use city property to stage operations, detain individuals, or conduct surveillance without a judicial warrant.
The ordinance directs city departments to identify applicable locations and post signage to inform federal authorities of the policy. Councilmember Paul Dillon, who sponsored the measure, said the approach builds on a similar policy in Seattle. While Seattle has reportedly installed hundreds of signs, Spokane’s implementation will focus on areas deemed most susceptible to enforcement activity.
Cathcart argued that if city facilities are broadly open to the public, there is limited ability to restrict federal access without creating broader access control issues.
“If it’s open broadly to the public, there really is not much that our police force can do,” Cathcart said.
Washington state law already limits local law enforcement from assisting with federal immigration enforcement under the Keep Washington Working Act. Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall previously warned that if local officers encounter unconstitutional or excessive force, they must respond, but he cautioned that conflicts between armed agencies could create dangerous situations.
Council President Betsy Wilkerson defended the measure as an affirmation of community values rather than an attempt to elevate one group over another.
The second ordinance establishes an interim zoning change prohibiting landlords from renting private property to federal agencies for immigration detention purposes. The proposal followed reports that the federal government was seeking office space in Spokane capable of housing up to 70 personnel. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement maintains a field office in the city, it does not operate a detention center there.
Supporters say the measures clarify Spokane’s stance on immigration enforcement. Critics argue immigration reform remains a federal responsibility beyond the city’s authority.
