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Residents and organizations press Spokane council to affirm Keep Washington Working protections and train staff
Summary
Several dozen residents, immigrant-rights groups and business owners urged the Spokane City Council during public comment to adopt a resolution reaffirming the state Keep Washington Working Act, to require staff training and to limit local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. No council vote on such a resolution was recorded.
Multiple community members and organizations asked the Spokane City Council to adopt a resolution affirming the Keep Washington Working Act, to train city staff and law enforcement on compliance, and to advocate against enforcement actions that target immigrant residents.
Jennifer Mesa, executive director of Latinos in Spokane, said the organization had gathered signatures and endorsements and asked the council to reaffirm the state law and provide training so city staff know how to respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol seek cooperation. Mesa told the council: “These are essential workers here who are providing services to every single one of us. Everything that you have touched and eaten today has been touched and produced by an immigrant.”
Other speakers representing business groups and immigrant-rights organizations echoed the request. Ade Bridal (signing in as an executive with Better Health Together) testified in strong support of a city resolution and urged training for staff and law-enforcement contacts, warning that recent local arrests had created fear among immigrant communities. Edgar Franks — political director for an independent farmers community group — said the Keep Washington Working Act has been referenced as a model and asked the council to support enforcement of the state law locally.
Opponents of related state-level bills also spoke at the meeting. Several residents objected to House Bill 1380 and urged the council to defend local decisions such as Prop 1 (the sit-and-lie ballot measure) and to resist broader state or federal actions they said would undermine local public safety choices.
No formal council action to adopt the requested resolution was recorded in the meeting excerpt. Council members accepted testimony and did not announce a vote on a city resolution during the session.
