Council Legislation

Proposed Ordinance No. O2025-510

Title: An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Removing the County's Voluntary Participation in the Federal E-Verify Program by Repealing Pierce County Code Sections 2.106.022, "Application of E Verify Requirements," 2.106.025, "Enforcement of E Verify Contract Terms," 3.08.105, "E Verify," and 3.20.050, "Participation in E Verify"; Amending Section 2.106.020, "Definitions"; and Setting an Effective Date.

Effective: June 1, 2025

Status: Passed

Sponsors: Councilmembers Jani Hitchen, Rosie Ayala, Robyn Denson, Bryan Yambe

Final votes

April 29, 2025
Nay Nay Nay Aye Aye Aye Aye


Documents
Additional legislative records are available below Collapse All  Expand All
 

Public Comments

Name Date Comment
Elizabeth Scott 4/15/25 4:20 PM We are a nation of immigrants who enrich us with their cultures, work ethics and who, documented or undocumented, pay taxes and fill jobs necessary to our lives and economy. We owe them protection from unlawful federal actions. No lawful person deserves to be afraid of the knock on their door or being pulled over and taken to jail or detention with no notice. I support this resolution. I support that in passing this resolution it will get rid of "everify" which is federal overreach since people must fill out I-9s when are hired.
Eva Evans 4/18/25 9:28 PM The Federal E-Verify Program is an overreach by the government. Washington State has sanctuary policies in place and Federal E-Verify contradicts these policies. Undocumented immigrants contribute billions of dollars in taxes each year, including sales taxes, property taxes (through rent), and in many cases, income taxes using taxpayer identification numbers. With their purchasing power, undocumented immigrants stimulate local economies by spending money on goods, services, and housing. Many undocumented immigrants work in essential industries, such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, and healthcare support. They often take on physically demanding jobs that are vital to the economy. Their labor helps sustain these industries and keeps food supplies, housing projects, and services running. Their diverse backgrounds and traditions enrich the cultural fabric of the U.S., fostering greater understanding, innovation, and creativity in fields like food, music, art, and beyond. Many undocumented immigrants become entrepreneurs, creating jobs and opportunities within their communities. They often establish small businesses that contribute to local economies.
John Leslie 4/23/25 1:01 PM Once again we find our County Council attempting to protect Illegal Aliens in favor of the citizens who elected you. For the uninformed, E-Verify is a convenience offered to comply with federal I-9 law which has been in effect since 1986 under the Immigration Reform and Control Act. It has been MANDATORY to complete an I-9 for EVERY employee since then. E-Verify is just a convenience, but deliberate attempts to avoid employment eligibility like this can be criminal. Federal funding to our county is placed at risk by this and similar efforts to conceal illegal aliens. You were elected by citizens and not foreign nationals. Stop putting illegal aliens over your own citizens.
William Rowland 4/23/25 1:58 PM This is just another way to hide illegal activity for ILLEGAL IMMAGRANTS while scrutinizing small businesses trying to make a living to death. ALL LAWS MUST BE APPLIED EQUALLY. IF A ROOFING BUSINESS CAN FILE APPROX 70% FRADULENT I9'S AND GET BY WITH IT, THEN I SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE LAWS EITHER!!
Carol Rich 4/23/25 2:04 PM E verify is a good system to keep a check on people who are here legally or illegally. Of course, if you do not consider that to be important you must believe that having open borders somehow benefits us. You are excluding illegals from certain laws. How is that fair? Most countries have borders and certain laws to be able to enter their countries. You are not concerned at all with the safety of your own citizens.
Danl Connelly 4/23/25 2:16 PM Obey Federal Law, cooperate with ICE, deport Illegal Aliens. Use my tax dollars for American Citizens'.
David R. Bryant 4/23/25 2:30 PM A Pierce County law should not be passed forcing county employees to violate US law. This should be an impeachable offense for each council member that votes to require county employees to break federal law.
John Leslie 4/23/25 2:38 PM I guess the council does not support LEGAL immigration as these efforts diminish and demean those who obey the law and have done the right thing in immigrating here. It is saying it is better to jump the line and break the law rather than to legally enter and then enjoy the freedoms and benefits the United States has to offer LEGALLY. This is a slap in the face to every legal immigrant past present and future.
Wally Emberson-Nash 4/23/25 2:46 PM We cannot and must not pass this ordinance
Judi Moody 4/23/25 4:55 PM Illegal aliens rob American workers of jobs and a living wage. Why are you going to such lengths to "protect" them, when they are breaking our laws by being here in the first place....This is terrible legislation and an insult to those whom you purport to care about. Working men and women. Vote this measure down and out.
Jonathan Anderson 4/23/25 8:16 PM I urge you to reject the proposed ordinance repealing Pierce County’s participation in the E-Verify program by removing Sections 2.106.022, 2.106.025, 3.08.105, and 3.20.050 of the Pierce County Code and amending Section 2.106.020. This ordinance undermines federal law, risks significant penalties, and prioritizes illegal aliens over law-abiding citizens. E-Verify is an efficient online tool that ensures compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which mandates that employers verify employee identity and work eligibility via Form I-9. By streamlining this process, E-Verify helps employers avoid violations that carry fines of $281 to $27,894 per fraudulent I-9 form. Abandoning E-Verify signals an intent to evade these federal requirements, exposing Pierce County to legal and financial risks. This ordinance provides no tangible benefit to Pierce County residents. Instead, it appears designed to shield illegal aliens from accountability, creating a double standard where non-citizens evade consequences for actions—like using fraudulent identities—that would lead to prosecution for citizens. Selectively ignoring laws erodes fairness and public trust, paving a slippery slope toward lawlessness. Key concerns: Federal law mandates employee eligibility verification; is the Council seeking to defy this? Repealing E-Verify increases the risk of fraudulent I-9 forms and federal penalties. E-Verify enhances efficiency, and rejecting it lacks any logical justification beyond undermining federal law. This ordinance unfairly prioritizes illegal aliens over citizens, who face strict consequences for similar violations. I implore the Council to uphold E-Verify, ensuring compliance, fairness, and accountability for all. Reject this ordinance.
Hollie Rogge 4/24/25 8:11 AM We should continue to require people to provide documentation to demonstrate they are a United States citizen or a legal immigrant. Please oppose.
Aaron 4/24/25 8:18 AM Pierce County Council should not be proposing to break Federal Law. In addition, this proposed ordinance contends that some laws are not to be followed. In a vain attempt to avoid and protest employment laws this bill seeks to eliminate E-Verify as a procedure in county employment. This proposal is ripe for fraud at the taxpayers' expense. The citizens and taxpayers of Pierce County REJECT this proposal. Vote NO.
Regina Medley 4/24/25 8:50 AM Please vote NO!
Mark Reid 4/24/25 10:21 AM The current Federal Law that exists is valid and should not be manipulated or changed. Workers and employers must verify legal status.
Patrick Campion 4/24/25 11:07 AM Reject this proposal. Reduce the chaos and expense to us, the taxpayers, and in the long-term, reduce the burden on our law enforcement personnel.
Laurie layne 4/25/25 7:52 AM Jobs should be for legal citizens not illegals!Let Ice do their jobs!And lets keep E-verify!You are working for us so do us all a favor? Start acting like it for a change!
D Tilstra 4/25/25 9:29 AM "Whereas, E-Verify has been shown to contain significant inaccuracies due to 25 errors in government databases, resulting in the wrongful denial of employment 26 opportunities for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants, thereby creating unnecessary 27 obstacles for workers seeking lawful employment." As I read this part of the ordinance I can fully support Pierce Cty departing from participation with the exception of those entities receiving federal funding.
Beryl Emberson-Nash 4/26/25 3:21 PM I oppose this
Mary Clare Benson 4/26/25 5:36 PM I am strongly in favor of this proposal. We don’t need to be using our resources to do the work of the Federal government, especially considering the recent actions involving arresting and detaining immigrants without giving them the due process we are all entitled to in this country. This is not asking that we don’t enforce our county/local laws against those who break them.
Barbara moberg 4/26/25 6:17 PM Oppose… just another law you Dems are against because it gets in the way of your power grab. Protect the illegals. Let them vote, take our jobs and use up our resources. Americans have no rights… we just pay the bills and give everything else away
Jeff Sproul 4/26/25 8:54 PM I oppose Ordinance No. O2025-510. I request the Pierce County Council to oppose this also. It's about time we protect the legal citizens of Pierce County and NOT just the illegal aliens.
Nancy J Newman Chapa 4/28/25 6:59 AM ORDINANCE NO. O2025-510 Please remove E-Verify from processing in Pierce County. If we are ever to be a community who accepts and appreciates each person as a valued member of our communities, our legislation must lead the way.
Gilbert A Chapa 4/28/25 7:24 AM Please remove this ordinance. That we were lucky enough to be born in this country should not give cause to turning our backs on others who are willing to work to survive. Stop this self righteousness.
William Rowland 4/28/25 7:29 AM Another prime example of illegal action focus of some Pierce County Council Members. Removing a way to ensure a person is legally in the USA. Hiding actions of criminal activities that violate Federal Law. Unconstitutional, harmful to actual citizens, while aiding and abetting criminal activities right here in Pierce County.
Chris Camire 4/28/25 7:43 AM Public Comment Opposing Ordinance No. 02025-510 , the Repeal of E-Verify Participation Dear Councilmembers, I strongly oppose ordinance No. 02025-510 seeking to repeal Pierce County’s voluntary participation in the E-Verify program. Let’s be clear: E-Verify exists to help employers easily comply with federal law that has been in place since 1986. It is not a barrier; it is a safeguard — protecting citizens, lawful workers, and businesses from fraud, identity theft, and exploitation. Repealing it sends a dangerous signal: that our county is willing to look the other way when it comes to employment law. The truth is simple. Federal law requires that every employer verify the identity and work eligibility of every hire. E-Verify helps them do so quickly and accurately. Choosing to eliminate it will not erase the law — it will only make violations easier to hide. Consider this: in a single ICE audit in Washington, 56 out of 84 I-9 forms turned over by an employer were found to be fraudulent. Are we prepared to let similar fraud flourish in Pierce County under our watch? Are we willing to open the door to more stolen identities, tax evasion, and exploitation, just to score political points? If a citizen were to use a stolen or fictitious identity to avoid taxes, would this Council propose a bill to shield them? Of course not. Yet that is exactly the double standard this ordinance promotes: one set of rules for citizens, and another for those who break our laws to begin with. Key facts: Federal law mandates identity and work eligibility verification — E-Verify simply streamlines compliance. Abandoning E-Verify exposes the County to financial penalties, federal scrutiny, and loss of trust. Protecting illegal employment practices does not benefit lawful citizens or legitimate businesses. This ordinance sacrifices accountability and fairness in the name of politics. Pierce County must not undermine the rule of law to accommodate those who disregard it. Fairness, transparency, and respect for the law demand that we retain E-Verify and reject this ordinance. The citizens of Pierce County are watching. I urge you to stand for lawful employment, stand for fairness, and stand for your constituents. Thank you. Sincerely, Chris Camire District 25-217
Brooke Stegmeier 4/28/25 9:30 AM E-Verify is a reasonable check for all individuals hired. We expect companies to comply with wage and hour rules at the federal and state level. E-Verify compares the I-9 data with SSA and DHS records. Why wouldn't we want to know if those working in our state are legally here in the United States? Why wouldn't we want to know if the Department of Homeland Security has identified them as dangerous to American security? Why wouldn't we want to know if they are accessing social security benefits legally? These are all reasonable precautions we should be taking to safeguard our country and our citizens. These are reasonable precautions all countries take.
Daniel P Grey 4/28/25 10:10 AM At a time when the Federal Government is acting in an unconstitutional manner by ignoring directives of the Federal Court system, I do not want our local, County and State government to bend our will and rights to that of an authoritarian regime. When the Federal Court system has the final say in all things related to our US Consitution, than we can work closely again with our elected officials in Washington, DC. Until then let the laws we enact locally in adherence to the State and Federal Constitution, support the rights of all Washingtonians, whatever their place of origin.
Rebecca Hoffman 4/28/25 11:26 AM As a person of faith, committed to justice, compassion, and dignity for all, I support this resolution. The federal E-verify program is an overreach by the federal government. Our immigrant neighbors, enrich and contribute to our communities in countless ways. They work hard, filling necessary jobs, pay taxes, stimulate our local economy, and are good neighbors. The state of Washington has sanctuary policies in place. Please pass this resolution.
David Tripp 4/28/25 11:29 AM I oppose
Wally Emberson-Nash 4/28/25 2:06 PM Oppose this bill
Janda Volkmer, Kirk Volkmer, Mike Volkmer 4/28/25 3:08 PM We strongly support Proposed Ordinance No. O2025-510 removing the County's Voluntary Participation in the Federal E-Verify Program and oppose Sheriff Keith Swank’s stated support and intent to collaborate with ICE agents. Immigration is the sole responsibility of the federal government and should be exercised in a legal and responsible manner. That does not include seizure of any person appearing to be “foreign,” by plain clothes, masked individuals, displaying no identification, and being removed and incarcerated with no outside contact, legal representation or due process. Contrary to many comments, this Ordinance and the proposed R2025-139s on this Agenda ensure that Pierce County Agencies comply with State law and enforce The Keep Washington Working Act which requires certain public agencies, including Washington law enforcement, to adopt policies consistent with the Attorney General’s guidance and limits local law enforcement agencies’ participation in enforcing federal immigration laws. It’s unfortunate that E-Verify has become a tool used by ICE to illegally collect personal information on residents and apprehend anyone who looks, speaks, or thinks differently, or dissents with the current administration. We urge the Council to pass this Ordinance and ensure the rights of all of as expressly noted in the U/S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
Chris Sagnella 4/28/25 4:45 PM I work too hard, trying to stay employed in the country I was born and raised in, and pledge my allegiance to, to have to compete with foreigners who work here illegally. That is why you should support the working citizens before ignoring illegal activities of non citizens. Please vote no!
Stephen D Wilson 4/28/25 6:52 PM I OPPOSE THIS BILL 2025-510 VOTE NO!
Linda Wilson 4/28/25 6:52 PM I OPPOSE THIS BILL 2025-510 VOTE NO!
Rebecca Thompson 4/28/25 6:53 PM I OPPOSE THIS BILL 2025-510 VOTE NO!
Marlo Wilson 4/28/25 6:53 PM I OPPOSE THIS BILL 2025-510 VOTE NO!
Nancy anderson 4/28/25 7:41 PM We need e verify more now than ever.
Jennifer Lynch 4/28/25 7:44 PM I support removing the county’s voluntary participation in e verify. This is a federal overreach and unneeded. Thank you!
Barbara Patterson 4/28/25 7:51 PM E-Verify allows employers to verify they are hiring citizens, sounds like a good idea to me. We all should follow the laws of our country. How simple is that. Our kids are taught to follow the law, so our County Council should do the same.
Linden Montgomery 4/28/25 9:49 PM I support the use of E-Verify for Employment within Pierce County and so should the County Council. If for no other reason, utilizing E-Verify works to support fairness and eligibility for law abiding citizens seeking employment.
George Martinez 4/29/25 5:57 AM You are elected by voters to represent them. Illegals don't vote. Remember that.
Keren Anderson 4/29/25 6:52 AM I oppose Resolution R2025-510, which seeks to end the county’s participation in E-Verify. This bill undermines federal employment laws by protecting illegal aliens in the workplace, effectively promoting non-compliance with established regulations. Eliminating E-Verify for county employment disregards the rule of law and prioritizes undocumented workers over legal residents. This resolution pushes an agenda that erodes accountability. I urge you to reject this measure and uphold lawful hiring practices that serve Pierce County’s citizens.
Tammy 4/29/25 10:28 AM I oppose
Aaron 4/29/25 12:23 PM I oppose this snd so do a majority of my neighbors.
James Hewitt 4/29/25 3:14 PM I strongly oppose Ordinance 02025-510 we need to follow current policies such as E-Verify to use it a a tool; not change or not use a lawful tool just to make it easier for Pierce County to go around established procedures for their own purposes.
JS Anderson 4/29/25 3:43 PM AI is not infallible. Humans are not infallible. To be denied based on lots of errors is terrible. Stop using E Verify.