A new ordinance before King County Council would prevent the use of County funds and resources on federal immigration enforcement, require ICE to get a judicial warrant to access non-public parts of King County’s property, and ensure that immigrants in County custody know their rights. Tell King County Council: Protect immigrant communities and County resources from an agenda of deportation.
This Ordinance, Ordinance #2017-0487, will ensure that King County’s limited resources are not spent collaborating with the current federal detention and deportation agenda. If the County becomes an extension of the federal immigration system, noncitizens are less likely to report crime or appear as witnesses, making us all less safe. Make King County a leader in protecting the safety and civil rights of everyone. Urge the Council to pass the immigration ordinance (Ordinance #2017-0487).
Call your King County Councilmember and tell them you support the Immigration Ordinance (Ordinance #2017-0487).Find your councilmember and their contact information.
Sample Email/Messaging
Subject: King County Ordinance 2017-0487 Enhancing Trust and Fairness for King County Immigrant Communities.
Sample Letter:
My name is ________________ and I am a member of _______________________ congregation.
Immigrants and refugees are a vibrant and essential part of the community fabric of King County. They are our friends and neighbors. I support the proposed King County Ordinance 2017-0487 and urge its passage.
We must uphold the civil rights of immigrants. I ask the King County Council to vote in support of Ordinance 2017-0487 which promotes public safety, preserves our County’s limited resources, and supports equity in our communities. The current administration has prioritized the deportation of 3 million people regardless of criminal history or ties to the community, and targets refugees, the Muslim community, and even legal immigrants. In 2017, immigration enforcement has increased by 40%. This Ordinance will ensure that King County’s limited resources are not spent towards collaborating with this deportation agenda. When the County is viewed as an extension of the immigration system, noncitizens are less likely to report crime or appear as witnesses, making us all less safe. King County should be a leader in upholding the civil rights and liberties of noncitizens instead of expending resources enforcing a cruel and unsound deportation agenda.
Please pass the strongest possible version of King County Ordinance 2017-0487. This Ordinance provides the following key guidance to King County agencies:
- Prohibits King County agencies from expending any time, funds or resources on civil immigration enforcement. This includes a bar on inquiring about immigration status and place of birth, or conditioning the provision of County services on immigration status, unless required by law.
- Prohibits King County agencies from holding someone on an ICE detainer or ICE warrant, neither of which comply with the 4th Amendment. The jail is also prohibited from notifying ICE when someone is released from custody.
- Requires that immigration enforcement agents obtain a judicial warrant in order to access non-public areas of King County’s property.
- Provides noncitizens facing ICE interviews in King County jail with an explanation of their right to remain silent and the opportunity to decline such an interview. This is critical because ICE agents, unlike police, are not required to inform people that they have the right to remain silent. The Miranda warning does not apply because immigration enforcement is civil, not criminal in nature.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]