PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A clash is brewing between Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank and the county council following the council’s recent resolution to limit the use of county resources for immigration enforcement.
Sheriff Swank has openly criticized the resolution, labeling it “unconstitutional.”
“If the council thinks they can get involved in telling me what I can and can’t do as an independently elected sheriff they’re sadly mistaken,” Swank said.
The resolution aligns with Washington state’s ‘Keep Washington Working Act,’ which restricts local government involvement in federal immigration enforcement. However, Swank is determined to challenge it legally.
RELATED: Pierce County sheriff opposes council’s immigration enforcement resolution
“I’m against it, and I want it to be brought forward to the U.S. Supreme Court so they’re rule on it so that we can determine where we should go with it,” Swank said, adding that he has reached out to the federal government for support.
Pierce County Council Chair Jani Hitchen expressed her disappointment but was not surprised by Swank’s stance.
“He has been opposed to this kind of thinking and working with our undocumented community members since he’s been elected and before so I was not surprised,” Hitchen said.
RELATED: Pierce County Council limits local resources for federal immigration surveillance programs
The council’s resolution aims to build trust with immigrant communities, ensuring they can access county services without fear.
“It really is making sure that people know that they can access county government and can access services that we provide and that we are only going to truly follow Keep Washington Working,” Hitchen said.
Regarding Swank’s intention to defy the resolution, Hitchen commented, “My hope is that he will continue to comply with the law and if he really truly believes that it is unconstitutional then I guess he can seek legal ramifications.”
The Attorney General’s Office declined to speculate on potential consequences for non-compliance but emphasized that all state and local enforcement agencies are subject to the Keep Washington Working Act.
