SPOKANE, Wash. – Mayor Lisa Brown introduced an interim emergency ordinance prohibiting the use of private property for detention facilities in the City of Spokane.
Her proposed ordinance would restrict private property owners from leasing to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other entities for detention purposes.
The draft of the ordinance says it aims to “protect the public health and safety of residents by prohibiting the use of private property for detention facilities and eliminating detention facilities as an allowable conditional use” with the exception of as an “Essential Public Facilities process.”
Detention centers would be removed as an option for land use in the Municipal Code for one year, starting the date the ordinance passes.
“From detaining children to withholding access to healthcare, serious questions have been raised about the legality of current practices in detention facilities run by DHS. We know the Trump Administration is actively moving to expand its detention efforts, and this ordinance is one more step we are taking locally to resist being a part of this agenda,” Brown said.
In the City’s announcement about the proposed ordinance, it said that Washington state law already prohibits the private operation of detention facilities within the state. It said the proposed ordinance would complement the state the law.
The announcement included a brief statement by City Councilmember Paul Dillon in support of the proposed ordinance.
“Spokane must remain a welcoming city for all,” Dillon said. “I applaud Mayor Brown for taking proactive steps to ensure Spokane is protecting our residents. Now more than ever, it is critical we be bold with our policies and commit to public safety and due process, regardless of where you were born.”
