Bremerton mayor pauses hiring for DEI role; residents urge city to publicly reaffirm protections for immigrants

Mayor Greg Wheeler announced at the Feb. 5 Bremerton City Council meeting that the city has paused recruitment for a dedicated diversity, equity and inclusion staff position while officials seek legal guidance about the effect of recent federal executive orders on federal funding.

The pause prompted a wave of public comments calling on the city to publicly reaffirm its support for immigrant residents and to ensure city departments, especially the police, follow state law limiting coordination with federal immigration enforcement.

“The operation of essential services in Bremerton is dependent on the city receiving millions of dollars in federal funds each year. I paused recruitment for the unfilled position so we could get more information on whether having the position would impact Bremerton's ability to receive federal funds,” Mayor Greg Wheeler said. “I am not and I repeat I am not bringing a specific measure or proposal to the city council at this time.”

Why it matters: Dozens of speakers — residents, community organizers and religious leaders — told the council the pause increased fear in immigrant communities and urged the council and mayor to issue a clear, translated statement affirming local protections and compliance with Washington state law.

Public comments focused on a few recurring points: ask the city to refuse voluntary cooperation with ICE beyond what state law requires; translate any assurances into Spanish and other languages used locally; and restore or continue DEI work that speakers said provides services and legal navigation for vulnerable residents.

Several speakers tied their requests to the Keep Washington Working Act, the Washington state law that limits local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. Zan Jacob Brown, identifying themself as a rabbinic leader in Kitsap County, asked Bremerton to “release a statement of the City Of Bremerton's ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion and to support the Keep Washington Working Act.”

Promise Partner, a District 5 resident who identified themselves as part of local organizing, said: “Do not terminate the city's DEI initiatives. Stay the course.” Sarah Van Gelder, a Bremerton resident and member of the Bridal Equity Advisory Committee, urged the city to act quickly to reduce fear among families and business owners and said the state law “requires that all law enforcement and social services and local jurisdictions…do their best to keep immigration status out of the questions around how someone is served by public services and how they're treated by law enforcement.”

Council-level response and next steps: Mayor Wheeler said he has been “advocating for the position for several years” and is collaborating with state and federal partners to understand the issues. He and staff told the council they will provide updates at the next city council study session on Feb. 12. Council members repeatedly said they wanted faster, clearer communication to the public and some asked staff to prepare a formal statement reaffirming existing municipal policy and compliance with state law.

Several council members also expressed support for an immediate reaffirmation to the immigrant community. Councilmember comments during the meeting called for a citywide message and for department-level reviews so employees understand what the Keep Washington Working Act requires.

Context and public reaction: Speakers at the meeting included volunteers and community organizers who described heightened fear after recent federal executive orders. Multiple commenters invoked the city’s 2019 resolution on equity and asked the city to reiterate those commitments. Some residents said they read about the pause in the Kitsap Sun before learning of it through council channels and urged improved coordination between the mayor’s office and the council.

Ending: The council did not take a formal vote on the DEI position during the Feb. 5 meeting. The mayor and staff said they will return with more information and legal analysis at the Feb. 12 study session, and several council members asked staff to prepare a public statement—translated into relevant languages—affirming how the city will apply state law and protect residents while legal questions are reviewed.