City Council Adopts 'Immigration Enforcement Free Zones' Ordinance

City Council Adopts "Immigration Enforcement Free Zones" Ordinance

Giacobbe Byrd, [email protected]

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 11:17 a.m.

During Monday's Legislative Session, the Spokane City Council adopted the "Immigration Enforcement Free Zones" ordinance, which will prohibit staging and surveillance by immigration enforcement on city-owned property and parking lots without a judicial warrant. The ordinance, which is sponsored by Council Members Kate Telis, Paul Dillon, and Sarah Dixit, was adopted on a 6-1 vote.

The ordinance will prevent the City from allowing its property to be used for warrantless immigration enforcement. It will require city departments to identify all relevant properties and display signage indicating that they may not be used for immigration enforcement. Legal options remain available to seek judicial relief if the ordinance is violated.

"As members of the Spokane City Council, we have a duty to draw a clear line," said Public Safety and Community Health Committee Chair, Council Member Kate Telis. "City property cannot be used for warrantless immigration enforcement - period. A judicial warrant is required. At a time of escalating federal overreach, we must stand firmly for constitutional rights and due process. Spokane will not allow fear or unconstitutional deportations to erode the safety and trust of our community. This ordinance is about clarity, accountability, and protecting the people we serve."

"I strongly believe cities must play a stronger role in the defense for our communities' right to safety in this era of rising authoritarianism," said Council Member Paul Dillon. "It's critical we strengthen the prohibition of city resources for immigration enforcement to ensure community safety and trust."

"As the federal administration continues to stoke fear in communities across the country, it is vital that we make it very clear what we won't tolerate in our city," said Council Member Sarah Dixit. "It is our responsibility to ensure that Spokane is not complicit in passive compliance with immigration enforcement, and that we are using every lever we have to protect our neighbors no matter their immigration status."

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