On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order affirming and clarifying Washington state’s policies for state agencies who provide services to immigrant Washingtonians.
“Washington has always been and will always remain a place that welcomes and embraces people of all faiths, all nationalities and all orientations,” Inslee said. “This executive order makes clear that Washington will not be a willing participant in promoting or carrying out mean-spirited policies that break up families and compromise our national security and community safety.”
The order, effective immediately upon Inslee’s signature, reiterates Washington’s continued commitment to its policies on services to immigrants and outlines additional actions to ensure state agencies are clear on their expected roles and responsibilities with respect to law enforcement and data collection.
The executive order states that, to the full extent allowed under federal law, state agencies will not deny services on the basis of citizenship or legal status, will not collect information beyond what is necessary to perform agency duties and will not use agency resources to assist with creation of a registry based on religion or apprehension of persons for civil immigration infractions.
Inslee’s executive order emphasizes the many ways that immigrants contribute significantly to Washington’s economy, enrich the state’s culture and communities, and proudly sacrifice to keep us safe.
- Immigrants compose 17 percent of Washington’s workforce and contribute more than $2.4 billion in state and local taxes.
- More than 17,000 aspiring young Dreamers call Washington home and are seeking educational and career opportunities to become productive Washingtonians.
- Soldiers of many faiths serve side by side in the Washington National Guard while nationwide, tens of thousands of immigrants serve in the armed forces.
Inslee’s executive order does not conflict with efforts by state or federal officials to uphold the law. U.S. law set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in Arizona v. United States in 2012 upheld that state and local law enforcement agencies are generally prohibited from arresting people solely for violation of civil immigration laws.
“Our officers are here to keep the public safe by enforcing the criminal laws, not to act as ICE officers or enforce civil violations,” Inslee said.
Inslee noted that actions by national leaders are having a real-world impact in Washington. State agencies have reported to the governor that some immigrants, including those here legally, have stopped accepting services because they fear what the federal government might do with the information they have to submit to the state.
“We applaud Governor Inslee for reaffirming that Washington state is and should remain a welcoming and inclusive community for all of its residents,” said Jorge Baron, executive director of Northwest Immigration Rights Project. “We welcome the governor’s directive that state resources should not be used in the enforcement of federal immigration law or in the implementation of any federal program that discriminates against people on the basis of their religious affiliation.”
caption Gov. Jay Inslee signing his executive order reaffirming Washington’s commitment to tolerance, diversity, and inclusiveness joined by General Counsel Nick Brown in the Governor’s Office in Olympia, Wash., Feb. 23, 2017. (Official Governor’s Office Photo)
