Monday, June 29, 2009

Proposal aims to remove barriers between immigrants, King County services

This will help immigrants feel safer and be safer. If they can get medical care and report fires and crimes without fear, it will help them and help the whole community. - - Donna Poisl

King County considers a proposal to direct county workers and the sheriff's office to not ask for immigration papers when people seek services and protection, or talk to law-enforcement officers. Supporters say the move would build needed trust between immigrants and local government.

By Lewis Kamb, Seattle Times staff reporter

Under a proposal before the Metropolitan King County Council, health facilities run by the county could not deny care based on immigration status, and sheriff's deputies could not ask people for immigration papers, or investigate, detain or arrest people for immigration violations.

Supporters say the move would reduce mistrust between immigrants and local government.

The proposal, they say, would help to safeguard against racial profiling, ensure that a big segment of the population feels safe enough to seek health care and allow more witnesses and victims of crime to go to the police without fear.

"We see this as something that really benefits the entire community, not just immigrants," said Shankar Narayan, legislative director of the ACLU of Washington.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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