BURIEN, Wash. — Burien City Council voted to advance a resolution that would strengthen the city’s existing sanctuary policy.
Resolution 542 would prohibit city officials and officers from cooperating with civil immigration enforcement activities unless there is a judicial warrant.
The resolution also restricts collecting information on immigration status, bans the use of city property for immigration enforcement, and requires city employees to report contacts from federal immigration authorities.
In addition, it would provide optional training to all city employees on Burien’s sanctuary policy and the Keep Washington Working Act within 90 days of adoption of this resolution.
“ICE continues to traumatize our neighbors and our neighborhoods,” Burien City Councilmember Sam Méndez said. “The topic was really ripe for being updated given that our past sanctuary policy had been passed 10 years ago.”
Councilmembers did not adopt the resolution at the Sept. 28 meeting, but they voted to put it on the consent agenda at their Oct. 12 meeting.