Laserfiche WebLink
PROCLAMATION <br />Declaration of Kittitas County to Not be a Sanctuary Jurisdiction <br />Supporting Evasion of Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions <br />WHEREAS: On May 29,2025, the Department of Homeland Security published a list of <br />"sanctuary Jurisdictions" which DHS accuses of "harborfing] criminal illegal <br />aliens and defylingl federal law"; and <br />WHEREAS: Kittitas County, along with all but four of Washington's 39 counties, was listed as <br />a o'Sanctuary Jurisdiction"; and <br />WHEREAS: Criteria for inclusion on this list were not published, are not clear, and no <br />mechanism for objection to this designation was provided; and <br />WHEREAS: Article 11, Section 4, of the Washington State Constitution identifies county <br />governments as a creation of the Washington State Legislature and, therefore, <br />political subdivisions of state government empowered and responsible for <br />enforcement of those laws duly enacted by this same Legislature; and <br />WHERBAS: Kittitas County complies with both state and federal law, insofar as they are <br />compatible and reconcilable, in keeping with the oaths of office of its officials; <br />and <br />WHEREAS: Kittitas County officials have clearly and publicly stated their intentions to <br />prosecute criminals irrespective of their immigration status and not to impede <br />federal authorities from conducting lawful operations; and <br />WHEREAS: Kittitas County government has not declared itself a sanctuary of any type with <br />the intent of selectively enforcing state and federal laws of its own choosing. <br />NOW, THEREFORB, the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim that <br />Kittitas County is not and has never been a Sanctuary Jurisdiction; and <br />They further encourage state and federal officials to jointly develop an integrated <br />system of immigration law enforcement to ensure that local jurisdictions have <br />clear guidance for supporting law enforcement and public safety; and <br />They further pledge their support to our independently elected Sheriff and <br />Prosecuting Attorney, along with those under their respective administrations, <br />performing their lawfully prescribed responsibilities in the best interests of the