The Spokane City Council voted Monday to allocate $100,000 from the police department’s community outreach budget to support emergency aid for non-English speaking, low-income undocumented immigrants. The measure passed with broad backing from the council’s progressive majority. The lone dissenting vote came from Councilmember Michael Cathcart.
The proposal originated from the office of Lisa Brown after the Spokane Immigrant Rights Coalition requested financial support last September. The coalition said it needed help offsetting recent grant cuts that affected its “Community Justice Fund,” which has distributed roughly $30,000 annually in legal aid since 2021.
Under the arrangement, the $100,000 will fund services such as transportation to court appearances, assistance filing legal documents, medical appointments, temporary housing, and child care. The agreement prohibits spending on legal representation or lobbying. Because the coalition is not structured to directly receive city funds, the money will instead be routed through Muslims for Community Action & Support, which may retain up to 8 percent for administrative costs.
The funding was drawn from the Spokane Police Department’s community outreach budget with the approval of Chief Kevin Hall. Councilmember Paul Dillon defended the decision, stating the city must act quickly to address community concerns during heightened federal immigration enforcement.
Michael Cathcart opposed the measure, raising concerns about the selection process. He noted that only four organizations were invited to participate, excluding others that may have qualified. Cathcart argued the narrow approach created the appearance of a politically predetermined outcome and questioned why competitive bidding was not required.
Council President Betsy Wilkerson described the funding as a modest pilot program designed to build trust within the immigrant community. She said discussions about support began last May amid increased federal immigration enforcement actions.
The funds had previously been part of a larger pool typically awarded to Spokane COPS, a community policing nonprofit. After Brown required competitive bidding, Spokane COPS declined to pursue the funds, citing confusion with the request process.
Public testimony reflected division. More than a dozen residents supported the allocation, while others argued that city resources should prioritize legal residents and address Spokane’s reported $13 million deficit.
The council’s decision underscores broader national debates about the role of local governments in immigration-related assistance and the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Implementation of the pilot program will be monitored, according to city officials.
