Spokane Bans ICE from City Property, Restricts Detention Centers

New ordinances create 'immigration enforcement free zones' and prohibit private property from being used as detention facilities.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Spokane City Council passed two ordinances on Monday that establish 'immigration enforcement free zones' on all city-owned or -controlled properties and prohibit landlords from renting private property to ICE or other entities for use as detention facilities. The 6-1 votes, with the lone conservative councilmember dissenting, expand on previous policies that prevent ICE from entering permitted events without a warrant.

Why it matters

These measures are part of a broader effort by progressive cities and states to limit the ability of federal immigration authorities to operate within their jurisdictions, reflecting growing tensions between local and federal policies on immigration enforcement. Supporters say the ordinances affirm the city's values of inclusivity, while critics argue they could invite federal intervention and don't achieve anything beyond existing state law.

The details

The first ordinance prohibits city employees from allowing federal agents to use city property for immigration enforcement activities like staging operations, detaining people, or conducting surveillance. It directs city departments to identify applicable areas and post signage. The second ordinance creates an interim zoning change banning landlords from renting private property to ICE or other entities for use as detention facilities.

  • The Spokane City Council passed similar laws last August preventing ICE from entering permitted events without a warrant.
  • The two new ordinances were approved on Monday, March 3, 2026 in a 6-1 vote.

The players

Spokane City Council

The legislative body of the city of Spokane, Washington that passed the new immigration enforcement ordinances.

Michael Cathcart

The sole conservative member of the Spokane City Council who dissented on the 6-1 votes.

Paul Dillon

The Spokane City Councilmember who introduced the 'immigration enforcement free zones' ordinance.

Betsy Wilkerson

The Spokane City Council President who said the ordinances are meant to affirm the city's values of inclusivity, not be divisive.

Lisa Brown

The Mayor of Spokane whose administration has a map of the planned 'immigration enforcement free zone' signage placements.

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What they’re saying

“If we start gating off all of our properties and things like that, yes, we can control access. But if it's open broadly to the public, there really is not much that our police force can do.”

— Michael Cathcart, Spokane City Councilmember (dailyfly.com)

“This just doubles down and affirms for us as a city where we stand on this, not to be divisive, but just to affirm for our community members. The last thing this council is trying to do, or wants to do, is make one group of people more important than another.”

— Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane City Council President (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The mayor's proposed ordinance banning private property from being used as ICE detention facilities will go through a public review process before a final vote by the city council.

The takeaway

Spokane's new immigration enforcement policies reflect a growing trend among progressive cities and states to limit federal immigration authorities' ability to operate within their jurisdictions, though critics argue the measures may invite federal intervention and don't go beyond existing state law.