The City of Vancouver has issued a public statement condemning what it describes as harmful and intrusive practices by federal immigration enforcement agencies. According to the City of Vancouver, actions by agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have contributed to fear and mistrust among residents and have disrupted community stability.
The council said these practices have undermined public safety through intimidation, lack of transparency, and violations of constitutional protections, leaving families disrupted and businesses struggling. It added that the operations have harmed residents’ mental health and well-being and caused long-term economic damage affecting schools, households, and local businesses.
The city reaffirmed its commitment to the Keep Washington Working Act, saying it will not allow civil immigration enforcement access to non-public spaces or city data without a judicial criminal warrant. The statement also said current law offers little recourse to people harmed or financially displaced by federal enforcement actions, calling for stronger legal accountability.
The city said it will continue addressing systemic inequities affecting vulnerable communities and noted that fear-based enforcement harms mental health, family stability, and community trust. Vancouver said it will focus on locally driven strategies to improve accountability, transparency, and public safety without using tactics that create fear among residents.
City officials also emphasized that all residents, regardless of immigration status, should feel safe seeking emergency assistance or reporting crimes. The council said it will continue using its legal authority to mitigate the effects of federal enforcement actions and support community safety and stability.
