Executive issues directive on immigration enforcement

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello has issued an executive directive creating guidelines and procedures for county employees in response to questions arising from federal policy changes and actions regarding immigration enforcement.

One of the federal government’s policy changes includes Executive Order 14159 – “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” EO 14159 directs federal agencies to significantly increase deportation of undocumented immigrants and to review federal funding agreements for consistency with federal immigration law.

Federal law is clear that immigration enforcement is the sole responsibility of the federal government, and our state’s “Keep Washington Working” law limits local governments’ participation in federal immigration enforcement. However, Mello’s directive ensures executive branch departments share guidance for how to comply with state and federal immigration enforcement laws. 

Keep Washington Working requires public schools, health facilities, courthouses and local law enforcement agencies to notify the Washington State Attorney General of their policy for ensuring they “remain safe and accessible to all Washington residents, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.” Among its provisions is to limit local law enforcement agencies’ participation in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, including limits on asking for and collecting information about place of birth and immigration status.

“Public safety is enhanced by public trust,” Mello said. “We need people to know it’s safe to seek help from our departments. We take our responsibility to follow state and federal law seriously, and we strive to make sure everyone in Pierce County feels safe, welcome and connected.” 

According to the directive and guidance, executive departments will appoint representatives to work with federal law enforcement, ensuring that requests required by law, like judicial warrants, are handled correctly. Administrative warrants are not valid for searching or questioning purposes.

Mello encourages county elected officials not already bound by Keep Washington Working to adopt similar policies. He plans to submit an executive-request resolution to the Pierce County Council to affirm this commitment.