Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation Wednesday that makes Washington a so-called “sanctuary state.”
Senate Bill 5497 is described as “relating to establishing a statewide policy supporting Washington state’s economy and immigrants’ role in the workplace.” It codifies Inslee’s previous February 2017 executive order.
The law prohibits law enforcement authorities, including state and local prisons, from inquiring about immigration status or place of birth unless that information is directly relevant to the investigation. It also encourages, public schools, health facilities, shelters and courthouses to refrain from immigration enforcement “to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and state law.”
