CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to information sharing for enforcement of civil immigration laws; prohibiting City provision of nonpublicly available personal information for use in civil immigration enforcement; clarifying the City's position on immigration enforcement being a federal matter; making technical corrections; adding a new Section 4.18.016 to the Seattle Municipal Code; amending Section 4.18.015 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and repealing Section 4.18.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, The City of Seattle ("City"), per Ordinance 121063, does not inquire into the immigration status of any person; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that enforcement of civil immigration law is a federal matter that should not involve the participation of City employees or resources, unless required by law; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the Washington State Legislature passed the Keep Washington Working Act (E2SSB 5497, codified in chapters 10.93, 43.10, 43.17, and 43.330 of the Revised Code of Washington) which restricts data collection and information sharing regarding civil immigration enforcement, including as relates to state agencies and state and local law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City now reaffirms the limited role that City officers and employees should play with respect to matters relating to immigration status; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Municipal Code imposes no specific obligation for cooperation with civil immigration enforcement; and
WHEREAS, City officers and employees are directed to safeguard the information privacy of those who live and work in Seattle from use in civil immigration enforcement, to the extent permitted by law; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 4.18.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 113192, is repealed:
((4.18.010 Cooperation with enforcement of federal immigration laws....
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