Former opponents push Kennewick to become ‘inclusive’

An unlikely pair is asking the city of Kennewick Tuesday to declare the city an “inclusive community.”

Councilman Bob Parks and Latino activist Leo Perales are pushing the city council to adopt a resolution that declares that Kennewick welcomes all people but that Kennewick is not a sanctuary city and will comply with federal immigration laws.

“Sanctuary” cities, counties and states offer the promise of a safe haven for undocumented immigrants and have aroused the ire of people who oppose undocumented immigration.

No Tri-City government agency has passed a sanctuary designation.

There is considerable local confusion about the issue after Benton and Franklin counties were labeled “sanctuary” counties by an organization objecting to their practice of requiring a judge’s order to hold a prisoner or an immigration detainer past their scheduled release date.

The Kennewick council will take no official action during Tuesday’s workshop.

Consejo Latino, formerly the Latino Coalition of Tri-Cities, will hold a rally promoting the communities resolution at 6 p.m., at city hall, preceding the council meeting.

Parks and Perales first presented the idea in February, offering a conciliatory twist to an old controversy.

A year ago, Parks set off protests in the Latino community when he shared a meme supporting a border wall with Mexico on his private Facebook page. Perales was one of the Latino community leaders who asked the Kennewick City Council to take action to demonstrate it is not opposed to Latinos and threatening an economic boycott if he didn’t step down.

The city established a diversity commission, which not coincidentally will give its first report to the council Tuesday, as well.

Perales said that after tempers subsided, he drafted the resolution and sought Parks’ support. The one-time opponent became an ally when Perales added the language that Kennewick is not a “sanctuary” city and that it would comply with federal immigration law.

Perales called the joint venture a learning experience and said he was proud to stand beside Parks when he initially presented the idea in February.

“We came together in respect, and worked together for the best approach for the problem we all find ourselves in,” he said in a cover letter addressed to the council and other city leaders.

The resolution affirms that Kennewick is committed to protecting and serving all residents and visitors regardless of race, religion, non-religion, color, national origin, immigration status, refugee status, age, income or economic status, political affiliation, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or physical, mental or sensory ability.

It encourages the city’s elected officials to lead efforts to promote inclusion in the community.

It specifically says the city will not attempt to determine immigration status unless someone is engaged in criminal activity.

It also says, “Kennewick will not be a sanctuary city, and will comply with federal immigration laws at the sole discretion granted to it by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws.”

The council meets for a workshop session at 6:30 p.m. at 210 W. Sixth Ave.