City Council Members Introduce 'Immigration Enforcement Free Zones'

Spokane City Council Members Introduce "Immigration Enforcement Free Zones"

Lisa Gardner, [email protected]

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 4:56 p.m.

At today's Public Safety and Community Health committee meeting, Spokane City Council Members introduced an "Immigration Enforcement Free Zone" ordinance to prohibit staging and surveillance on city-owned property and parking lots without a judicial warrant. The ordinance is sponsored by Council Members Sarah Dixit, Paul Dillon, and Kate Telis.

"In Spokane, we all belong, and that includes our immigrant neighbors regardless of their immigration status," said Council Member Sarah Dixit. "When cities across our country are being occupied by Federal Immigration Forces, our city must do everything in our power to protect community members. Faced with lawless armed officers, this ordinance will ensure city resources will not go toward illegal terror campaigns against our neighbors."

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.

"Recent events across the country highlight the need for Spokane to take every possible step to protect residents from unconstitutional violations of their Fourth Amendment right to privacy," said Council Member Kate Telis. "This ordinance strengthens those protections by clarifying that city property may not be used for any warrantless immigration enforcement operations."

"Spokane must stand strong in protecting the rights of our residents and immigrant communities," said Council Member Paul Dillon. "It's critical we strengthen the prohibition of city resources for immigration enforcement to ensure community safety and trust.'

The Council will hold an official vote on this ordinance at its Monday night Legislative Session on February 23.

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