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Sammamish City Council reaffirms support for immigrant and refugee residents with new resolution
Summary
The City of Sammamish adopted a resolution reaffirming support for immigrants and refugees and directing city staff to adopt policies that avoid requiring disclosure of immigration status when accessing city services.
The City of Sammamish City Council on April 15 adopted a resolution reaffirming the city's support for immigrant and refugee residents and directing the city manager to establish policies aimed at confidentiality and inclusion.
The measure, introduced by Councilmember Sid Gupta as "Resolution R2025-elevenO 5" in the meeting record, states the city will use terms such as "resident" or "community member" instead of "citizen" unless legally required, and instructs the city manager to develop policies ensuring that no person accessing city programs be required to disclose immigration status, with any such information treated as confidential and handled consistent with the Keep Washington Working Act and other applicable state law.
The resolution text presented to council cited local demographic data and existing city commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, referencing earlier council resolutions adopted in 2022 and 2024 that established DEIB goals and a racial equity commitment. Councilmembers spoke in support of the resolution during discussion; Deputy Mayor Amy Lam described immigrants' contributions to the community and said the resolution affirms the city's support for those escaping persecution. The council voted to adopt the measure; the motion carried when councilmembers responded "Aye."
Council President Lisonbee (Mayor Karen Howe presided) recognized Alicia Spinner, executive director of The Circle, a local nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee families, who received the adopted resolution on behalf of the organization.
The resolution directs the city manager to seek, maintain, refine or develop city policies that advocate for and provide support for immigrants and refugees who may face adverse impacts from newly adopted federal laws or policies, and to make city services accessible regardless of immigration status. The resolution also states the city will treat any immigration-related information as confidential and tied its directive to state law and prior council commitments.
The council did not record a roll-call vote tally in the spoken record; the meeting minutes indicate the motion passed.
