SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane City Council members discussed an ordinance on Monday aiming to restrict civil immigration enforcement in certain areas of city parks.
The proposed law is in early discussions and would designate specific park areas as “non-public.” It would require law enforcement agencies to obtain written permission from the parks director for civil immigration enforcement without a warrant in these zones.
Councilmember Michael Cathcart expressed doubts about the ordinance’s enforceability, citing case law that states there’s no expectation of privacy in open areas.
Proponents believe the ordinance could be enforceable if “non-public” areas are clearly defined.
