Tonight, the Tacoma City Council unanimously adopted Substitute Resolution 41905, reaffirming the City’s commitment to immigrants and refugees and supporting ongoing state and federal advocacy. District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge was joined by co-sponsors At-Large Council Member Olgy Diaz, At-Large Council Member Latasha Palmer, and At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker.
“This federal administration continues to promote actions and policies that sow fear and anxiety in our communities,” said Council Member Sadalge. “As a foreign-born immigrant, I understand the profound anxiety in our community. This is what drives the City of Tacoma to lead on efforts to protect our immigrant and refugee communities, and push for state and federal action.”
Through this resolution, the City Council condemns the broader pattern of overzealous, unjust, and dangerous enforcement actions carried out during recent federal immigration enforcement actions. The Council also reaffirms its longstanding opposition to private, for-profit detention centers and strongly supports the State of Washington’s efforts to impose robust, enforceable oversight of private detention facilities, including independent inspections, mandatory compliance standards, and meaningful consequences for violations.
“Tacomans have been loud and clear on the need for more U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) oversight, and the entire City Council stands in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee communities as we continue to be targeted,” said Council Member Diaz. “For over a decade, Tacoma has been a staunch advocate for immigrants and refugees and we will continue to expand protections for all our residents. The gains made this year in the Washington State Legislature were possible because people in Tacoma and across the state made their voices heard. We must all continue to advocate to our state and federal governments for progress on these critical issues.”
Through this resolution, the City Council calls on the U.S. Congress to include meaningful and significant guardrails on DHS and how it operates in our communities, including requiring DHS to obtain a judicial warrant prior to enforcement actions; ceasing the use of masked agents during immigration enforcement operations; and ensuring independent and transparent investigations are conducted for all federal agent and law enforcement–involved deaths.
The City Council also affirms its longstanding support for the Keep Washington Working Act and calls on state leaders to continue close monitoring and oversight of state agency data sharing agreements with federal agencies, to perform a formal review to ensure that all state agencies are fully compliant with the provisions of the Act, and to provide additional training and guidance to local governments regarding local law enforcement responses to activities conducted by ICE, particularly where concerns arise regarding the legality of such actions.
“I have been horrified by the lack of compassion and respect that so many of our ICE officers have demonstrated across our country,” said At-Large Council Member Latasha Palmer. “I want to be very clear—this kind of behavior is not welcome in Tacoma. While our authority with regards to ICE is limited, I intend to do all I can to ensure that our city does not support or benefit from any actions that degrade and harm our community members. In Tacoma, we celebrate and value our immigrant and refugee neighbors as a vital part of community. I encourage everyone to learn about their rights and stand in solidarity with those who are being unfairly targeted. I also encourage all agencies and organizations in our city, including the Tacoma Police Department, to continue clarifying their role in service to our community and their engagement with ICE.”
“I am very happy to support my City Council colleagues on this resolution, as it aligns and builds on the work I’ve undertaken for the past five years regarding the Northwest ICE Processing Center,” said At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker. “Being a welcoming city is a fundamental part of Tacoma’s identity, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure that we remain inclusive and supportive of our immigrant and refugee community members.”
To better support the diverse needs of residents and local businesses, the City of Tacoma has a dedicated Immigration Resources webpage at tacoma.gov/immigrationresources.