We need to send a clear message to the MLK, Jr. County Council that immigrant communities should be able to safely collaborate and interact with county agencies without the fear of deportation or other reprisal.

WHY WE NEED THIS: Aggressive enforcement actions by federal agents across our state have created a climate of fear and distrust of government in immigrant communities all over the country. Many people are afraid to take their children to get vaccinated, or call the police when they are the victims of crime, or otherwise seek help from local government employees. This fear places us all at risk. The Constitution protects all people, not just citizens.

We need a strong, clear statement in our law that assures immigrant residents of King County they will not be at risk if they cooperate with and seek needed assistance from police and other County agencies. Proposed Ordinance No. 2009-0217 will prohibit any county employee from asking about an individual's immigration status unless specifically required to do so by federal or state law.

Proposed Ordinance No. 2009-0217 Will Protect all King County Residents:

• Keeps us Healthier
• Keeps us Safer
• Prevents Unlawful Arrests
• Put an End to the Fear Caused by Our Current Immigration Enforcement Only Policy

STATUS: The bill was introduced in March and referred to the Law & Justice Committee chaired by Councilmember Kathy Lambert. Lambert has made it clear that she will not hear the bill before September and may not be willing to hear it at all. We need the prime sponsor, Councilmember Larry Gossett, to take control of the bill and see that it moves. If we do not get a hearing before September, the bill will run into the budget schedule (which starts in late September) and will effectively die.

We need a hearing now so that there is time for debate, discussion, a vote before the September budget-wrangling begins, and all other committee work is halted. We are trying to get the bill out of Kathy Lambert's committee and to the Committee of the Whole since it is clear that she will not hear it.

For more information, please call 206.441.4969