The Olympia City Council reaffirmed its Sanctuary City commitment amid growing community concerns over reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are operating within the city, detaining local residents, including legal immigrants and U.S. citizens, and raising fears of possible deportations.
“This is generating an incredible amount of anxiety, not just in our immigrant communities, but in communities of color in Olympia,” said the City of Olympia in a statement.
“As we’ve seen unfold across the nation, ICE agents are not just targeting immigrants who are committing crimes or those who arrived outside of the legal immigration process.
“Illegal immigrant, legal immigrant, native-born American, what those challenged and those detained by ICE seem to have in common is that they are all people of color."
According to city leaders, ICE agents have allegedly confronted individuals on the street, at their homes and outside courtrooms. They are reportedly detaining people who fail to answer their questions "sufficiently." In some cases, they are deporting those people to third countries without the due process.
While Olympia’s Sanctuary City status cannot prevent ICE from operating locally, city officials reiterated that the local government and the police department will not cooperate with ICE, including not sharing information.
“The City of Olympia is committed to being a safe haven for its residents, regardless of immigration status,” the statement said.
The city council and staff are working with the state of Washington’s congressional delegation, including senators and representatives, to call for accountability in how ICE conducts its operations.
City officials are encouraging all residents to know and exercise their rights if they encounter ICE as they live, work and play in the city.
“We are also taking the opportunity to engage the community and our community members who are living under the threat of being detained by ICE. The Constitution protects all of us and ensures our right to assemble, to have counsel, to not be subjected to unreasonable search and seizure, to due process, and more,” the statement added.
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TheVirtualOne
Question for the Olympia city leaders. As a sanctuary city, are you going to protect Olympia's legal citizens from those who commit crimes and hear illegally from another country?
Friday, June 27 Report this
TheVirtualOne
*here*, not hear. Also, what is the plan when an illegal resident of Olympia’s sanctuary city commits a crime? Do Olympia taxpayers have to pay for associated costs to house and feed them in jail, pay their public defender costs, etc.?
Friday, June 27 Report this
Boatyarddog
Maybe Virtual one. But you need to sound coherent to apply for Relief.
Get a life, Job, Education or otherwise just mind your OWN DAMN BUSINESS. Take it to the city Council. IF you know what your spewing out. Geeeeze!!!
Friday, June 27 Report this
Boatyarddog
VIRTUALONE What the hell are you ranting about?
Friday, June 27 Report this
ddttwo2
So, as the city council did you get the confirmation of the majority of the city's residents before reaffirming your sanctuary status? I don't believe you did never heard about it until today on the jolt news. So maybe you should rethink what you're doing instead of always just a knee-jerk reaction.. I welcome ice to come here and to take out the illegals that are criminals & pedophiles. Do you know who they are? I doubt it...
Friday, June 27 Report this
ClimateTeam
VirtualOne: The percentage of legal citizens who commit crimes is much higher than those who are immigrants or undocumented workers. Get your facts straight!
Friday, June 27 Report this
USA_Ronin
If you're here illegally, you don't belong here. You put yourself-- and by extension - me in this situation.
Self-deport and apply legally if you still want to. Tens of millions have come here following our immigration laws.
I unfortunately also recognize many lied on visa applications that were approved. It's time for you to leave before being forced to.
Friday, June 27 Report this
USA_Ronin
If you're here illegally, the Olympia City Council cannot protect you.
The council can talk silliness all they want. In the end, they know they better not put themselves between you and a Federal agent.
FAFO is real when it comes to Feds.
Friday, June 27 Report this
Southsoundguy
These people are outlaws and should be arrested immediately.
Friday, June 27 Report this
Southsoundguy
Hey Climateone, every single person here illegally is commuting a crime, 100% of the illegal population.
Friday, June 27 Report this
Overtaxed
We Need to Support Law Enforcement and NOT try to Keep Them from doing their Job.
Friday, June 27 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Dear Boatyardsog. No rant here, just relevant questions about our city leaders policy. Also, I have a great life, likely much more education than you, and I am minding my own business - these are my tax dollars too that are paying for the city’s political leaders salaries.
Dear ClimateTeam. I did not state any facts regarding illegals committing more crimes than legal citizens. That was not my point. Read it again.
Any costs paid for by taxpayers should be held in the light of day and citizens should be able to question them. If you were to sneak across the border of any other country, say Canada or Mexico or Brazil, should that country be required to pay for your expenses while there illegally? It is simply a question, and one that needs serious consideration before deciding whether to spend taxpayer funds from the government of that country.
Friday, June 27 Report this
bonaro
Establishing or maintaining a sanctuary city is a direct and intentional violation of Presidential directive. It is also stupid because the people they are protecting are here illegally. Please reflect on the Judge who just got arrested for sheltering an illegal alien...this is your future. I can't wait until Federal attention arrives at the broken Olympia City Council, it will be a bloodbath. My only concern is how much these clowns cost local taxpayers with their backward liberal nonsense.
Friday, June 27 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Here are some facts for you:
The Cost of Illegal Immigration to Taxpayers
Prepared Testimony of Steven A. Camarota
Director of Research
Center for Immigration Studies
“Illegal immigrants are a net fiscal drain, meaning they receive more in government services than
they pay in taxes. This result is not due to laziness or fraud. Illegal immigrants actually have
high rates of work, and they do pay some taxes, including income and payroll taxes. The
fundamental reason that illegal immigrants are a net drain is that they have a low average
education level, which results in low average earnings and tax payments. It also means a large
share qualify for welfare programs, often receiving benefits on behalf of their U.S.-born
children. Like their less-educated and low-income U.S.-born counterparts, the tax payments of
illegal immigrants do not come close to covering the cost they create.”
Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House
Judiciary Committee
Hearing entitled “The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Social Services,”
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Friday, June 27 Report this
Referring to “persons of color” in this context is absurd and little more than an attempt to gain support where none is warranted. WA State waived sovereign immunity for State and local governments many years ago. This means intentional violation of law resulting in harm to Citizens is subject to legal action and monetary recovery to include pain and suffering. The State is already facing a billion dollar deficit and it may be higher soon.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
People WILL be protected in Olympia, regardless of Presidential Scribbles on a paper... because THAT is all he can MUSTER.
TO HELL with ICE. They will have interferance here. LOUD And CLEARLY.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
CobraCommander
TheVirtualOne is actually just SouthSoundGuy
Saturday, June 28 Report this
JulesJames
"Sanctuary for criminals" is what the Olympia City Council supports. It doesn't matter whether the laws are right or wrong, fairly or unfairly applied. They are laws. Change the law if you don't like the law. Otherwise, live by the law. As much as I despise the current federal administration, I will celebrate when its swats Olympia's federal funding like a pesky gnat for flagrantly defying basic immigration law.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
JW
Trump is a dictator not following the law. Here, let's publicly reaffirm that we believe in breaking the law.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Southsoundguy
Cobra commander change your name already. You are neither cool nor villainous enough to warrant such a handle.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
SS GUY, Insecurity will NOT help you!
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Reading this article one might think that the principles of diversity are somehow being violated. Even if 99 percent of illegal migrants are persons of color ICE should, in the name of fairness and equity, make certain that apprehensions reflect area demographics.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
@TheVirtualOne, complain to your City leaders, county leaders... you think ANYONE you want, or can believe, wants change or listens to your whining. NO! JUST TAKING CARE of people is what IS really Important Face it YOU have zero control HOW your Taxes are spent... wasted WORDS.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
CobraCommander
SouthSoundGuy,
Maybe I should commit 34 felonies and get impeached twice, then end up on Epstein's flight log.
Is that evil enough?
Saturday, June 28 Report this
wolfmanner
Maybe "Boatyarddog can house and feed and pay the medical costs for his beloved Illegal aliens. He just might have enough room in his leaking dinghy.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
HappyOlympian
Bizarre that BoatYardDog would accuse another of ranting, being unclear i what they sey or that they should mind their own business. Clearly a rabid supporter of suppressing speech and contrary ideas.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
HappyOlympian
When a person enters a country without due process, they commit a crime. Really not interested in anyone entering my country willing to engage in criminal activity; and absolutely do not want to spend a penny of tax dollars on them. Let BoatYardDog foot the bill.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
DavidAlbert
When unidentified masked marauders invade and take people away, they are kidnappers, pure and simple. For all we know, they are rapists and *** traffickers.
If we are a Sanctuary City, the City Council should order the police department to intervene and arrest the marauders until they can clearly identify themselves, and show their judicial warrants. If not, throw them in the clink like other dangerous criminals.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
Oh Blah,Blah about your Tax dollars if i had the funds, i'd gladly Support Others trying to make their lives better, That IS an American dream. BUT, Oh That dream Is only for Americans or White Europeans whos relatives Immigrated Here because the same issues caused them to. STUPI is what Stupid believes is The TRUTH. The TRUTH is those that spout off about others, and you don't really know WHO your talking about, are made out to look like they are trying to STEAL something, because your looking for something to Play Politics about so you feel Big ...Like YOUR DADDY Trump. HE is The worse example of the Kind Intelligent people that In 67 Years i Grew up with. HE IS sick with Hate, acts the way that *** offenders do, has NO morals, no shame, NO brain, No Compassion for others... and THOSE here that speak against those looking to better their lives are Just Shameful woefully Ignorant, not Patriots at all Selfish Trolls. There are several "regular" commentors here that have NOTHING but SMACK to say about anything that has to do with Immigration, Lgbtqa anything or Homeless issues. My Opinion is they are NOT good People themselves and are looking to make people they don't even know look Bad.... BACKFIRED IN their Faces.!!!
Sunday, June 29 Report this
Boatyarddog
@YAPPY Olympian. Opinions are Everyones Freedom even if they are OFF kilter. Did you expect everyone to Think or act the same.... That is the Danger of MAGAS agenda.
Sunday, June 29 Report this
Wesley
deport Deport DEPORT!
Sunday, June 29 Report this
wolfmanner
Hey "climate team". Of course it is. Because as of 2023, there are approximately 331 million people living in the United States, with around 250 million being U.S. citizens. Wake up !
Sunday, June 29 Report this
Southsoundguy
Cobra, if you believe all those “convictions” then you are also too gullible.
Sunday, June 29 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Boatyarddog has not said an intelligent word and is guilty of what he accuses others - aimless ranting about nothing to do with the topic of this article. I rest my case. Have a good life.
Monday, June 30 Report this
Boatyarddog
TheVirtualOne. This is what I said
Boatyarddog
People WILL be protected in Olympia, regardless of Presidential Scribbles on a paper... because THAT is all he can MUSTER.
TO HELL with ICE. They will have interferance here. LOUD And CLEARLY.
Tuesday, July 1 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Dear Boatyarddog: This is a forum made available by the publisher, JOLT, and anyone interested in reading it. Comments can be seen by those who subscribe to/read the JOLT. As such, it is a great place to communicate, share information and thoughts with others, and discuss the topics at hand. Going to a city council meeting is a whole other thing, as well as a completely different audience. If I want to go to a city council meeting, I can choose to do so, just as you can. If I want to discuss a topic about an article published in JOLT, I can also do that, just like you can, as long as the publisher allows us to. I respectfully ask that you please honor the rights of me and others to do just that, versus trying to shut people down. It’s called free speech. Have a good day.
Tuesday, July 1 Report this
Boatyarddog
The Virtual One... Nope not going to happen... MY Comments are about those individuals that Harrass Others And Their Reasonable Choices, example SOUTHSOUND Guy.. Nothing valueable in comments ..just Harrassment, if you value Freedom of Voice, Freedom in General, then you'll join in to SHUT THOSE PEOPLE OUT! Those like them only serve themselves. If you don't like Taxes used in your way, realize.... your NOT the only one living in Olympia, stop acting the Part of the Arse.
Sunday, July 6 Report this