Drafter
Clerk 04/17/2017
Title
A MOTION related to county services to immigrants and refugees, and the Washington State Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigration Enforcement.
Body
WHEREAS, King County has historically demonstrated values of openness and welcome to all persons irrespective of origins, or of status as immigrant or refugee, and wishes to so continue, and
WHEREAS, King County has been enriched by the multiplicity and diversity of origin stories that compose the cultural narrative of the region, and
WHEREAS, there is increasing recognition of the need to legally and appropriately protect the rights those populations that may face challenges to their residential status as the result of changes in emphasis regarding federal immigration policy, and
WHEREAS, the Washington state Office of the Attorney General, in demonstrating such support, has undertaken to develop Guidance Concerning Immigration Enforcement, intended to assist local jurisdictions in the development of policies and practices in their relationship with immigrant and refugee communities, and
WHEREAS, the Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigration Enforcement, while focused on viewing local service provision through an immigrant and refugee-friendly lens, is intended to describe for local government agencies and other entities in Washington state key elements of the legal landscape governing immigration status, and
WHEREAS, review of county programs and services in light of the recommendations of the Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigration Enforcement may help to position the county in the most welcoming, and most responsible possible position in their relationship with the immigrant and refugee community, and
WHEREAS, such a review should include consideration of the county's current ordinances that address immigrant and refugee policy and service provision, and
WHEREAS, a cooperative effort between the executive and the council in undertaking such review could take advantage of the current and past efforts of each body;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council directs that the legislative services staff prepare a report addressing, in general terms:
A. The types of services, King County Code, policies and programs of county agencies that correspond to the recommendations of the Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigrant Enforcement;
B. Whether existing code language corresponds with or is different than the recommendations of the Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigration Enforcement;
C. Whether and how the recommendations of the Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigrant Enforcement could be used to modify the policies and approaches of county agencies regarding immigrant and refugee populations; and
D. Options for convening a King County government-wide summit for discussion and prioritization of actions related to the Attorney General's Guidance Concerning Immigrant Enforcement.
The report shall be filed by July 1, 2017 in the form of a paper original and an electronic copy with the clerk of the council, who shall retain the original and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the chief of staff, chief policy officer and the lead staff for committee of the whole. In preparing the report, legislative services staff shall
consult with legal counsel and executive staff on information gathered in previous and ongoing immigrant and refugee policy work.