The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners voted 3‑0 on July 8 to adopt Resolution 25‑158, which reaffirms that “Lewis County is not a sanctuary county” and states the county will cooperate with federal immigration authorities to the extent permitted by Washington law.

The resolution, read into the record by Commissioner Sean Swope, says the measure “confirms our existing position and takes critical steps to ensure that Lewis County is removed from the Department of Homeland Security list of sanctuary jurisdictions,” language Swope said is necessary to protect roughly $37,000,000 in federal funding the county expects this year.

Why it matters: passage of the resolution comes after extensive public comment from more than 30 speakers and a period of discussion among the commissioners about the county’s exposure to federal notification lists and potential loss of grants and infrastructure funding.

Supporters at the meeting said the resolution clarifies the county’s position on cooperation with federal law enforcement and on maintaining public safety. Kenneth Cavallen, who identified himself as a Napa Vine resident, told commissioners the measure “reaffirmed Lewis County’s commitment to enforcing the law and cooperating with federal authorities as permitted under state law.” Ethan Brunton, who said he supports the resolution, said cooperation between agencies “is important because public safety depends on communication and cooperation.”

Opponents — including longtime county residents, business owners and immigrant community members — said the resolution risks racial profiling, civil‑rights violations and lawsuits. Jim McCully of Centralia said removing protections would “open up more racial profiling,” and Brenda Pulido, who said she has lived in Lewis County more than 30 years, said the declaration would make people “run a higher risk of being targeted and being racially profiled.” Several speakers said state law already limits local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement and warned the resolution was largely symbolic and potentially costly.

Commissioner discussion acknowledged those concerns. Commissioner Pollock said she would have preferred a response from Secretary Noem’s office explaining why Lewis County had been included on a federal list of sanctuary jurisdictions and that the haste of the measure had raised community concerns. Pollock also emphasized that the county’s prosecutor had clarified the county will continue to “uphold state and federal law.”

The final resolution includes an attachment that the board highlighted as clarifying applicable state and federal requirements. That attachment, the commissioners said, defines “sanctuary county” in the document as jurisdictions that adopt policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and it reiterates that cooperation with federal authorities will occur only to the extent allowed by state law.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25‑158 (declare Lewis County not a sanctuary county): motion moved by Commissioner Pollock; second not specified on the record; vote 3‑0, outcome: approved.
- Resolution 25‑190 (approval of warrants and payroll; approval of minutes from 07/01/2025): vote 3‑0, outcome: approved (consent items).
- Resolution 25‑191 (ratification of Amendment A to Washington State Department of Commerce contract for LED lighting upgrades at the Lewis County Jail): vote 3‑0, outcome: approved.

What the board did not do: the vote did not change local law enforcement procedures, and commissioners and county staff said the resolution does not override Washington state statutes that limit local cooperation on civil immigration matters. Several public commenters said they would pursue legal challenges if the county adopted policies that contradicted state law.

The board’s action follows public testimony that cited a mix of legal, moral and fiscal concerns. Speakers referenced state statutes and case law, including the Keep Washington Working Act and RCW 10.93.160, and some speakers cited a federal court decision they said limits honoring ICE detainers without a judicial warrant. The board recorded a public‑comment period with more than 30 speakers on the topic; commissioners spoke afterward and then voted to adopt the document.

The county manager, Ryan Barrett, and the prosecutor’s office were identified in discussion as contacts for further clarification; commissioners said they had been in contact with state and federal officials about the county’s appearance on a federal list.

The resolution passed 3‑0. Commissioners did not record any amendments to the text at the meeting, and no implementation tasks or effective dates beyond the adoption were specified in the discussion.

Closing note: commissioners said the matter was brought, in part, after county public‑health leadership reported Lewis County had appeared on a federal list and there was concern that federal public‑health dollars could be affected. Commissioners urged residents to consult the resolution’s attachment for the board’s stated definitions and legal clarifications.