City of Burien

The City of Burien supports its visitors, immigrants, refugees, and residents who enrich the lives of Burien, Washington State, and this country 

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office also provides guidance regarding the Keep Washington Working Act, which provides clarity on what state and local agencies are permitted to do. 

In 2017, the Burien City Council adopted Ordinance No. 651, which prohibits any City of Burien employee or officer from inquiring into an individual’s immigration status. 

In 2026, the City Council approved Resolution No. 531, which supports immigrant and refugee residents, visitors, and workers, and embraces their contributions to the Burien community. 

City of Burien staff are closely monitoring any policy changes with the new administration and are actively working to provide accurate information, so that everyone—regardless of immigration status, race, or gender identity—can continue to access government services. 

The City of Burien encourages you to know your rights and take advantage of the protections in place for the immigrant community at both the state and local levels. 

Community Concerns Regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement Activity  

The City of Burien is aware of community concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. This section contains general information about what the City of Burien can and cannot control, and what it is currently doing. 

What the City of Burien does not control:

• Federal agencies operate under federal authority. The City of Burien does not direct federal operations and does not receive advance notice of federal activity.  
• City of Burien staff, in addition to Burien Police Department officers and King County Sheriff’s Office deputies, cannot interfere with ICE activity. 

What the City of Burien controls:  

• Burien does not use or encourage the use of video surveillance, including Flock cameras, for any immigration enforcement under the current circumstances. 
• King County Sheriff’s Office, Burien Police Department, and City of Burien staff do not enforce civil federal immigration law. 
• Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act limits state and local law enforcement involvement in civil immigration enforcement and establishes clear boundaries around cooperation and information sharing. 
• The City of Burien safeguards its systems and data. Any request for information held by the City of Burien must follow the public disclosure request procedure of RCW Chapter 42.56.  

What the City of Burien is doing:   

• The City of Burien is committed to exploring legal avenues to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected within Burien, regardless of their immigration or resident status. 

Burien Police Department 

The City of Burien contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services. The King County Sheriff personnel assigned to Burien constitute the Burien Police Department, and are responsible for ensuring the community’s safety through crime prevention and enforcement of applicable local laws.  

The Burien Police Department does not cooperate with ICE enforcement activities, including relaying information or detaining community members to facilitate immigration enforcement efforts.  

The Burien Police Department is bound by written policies and directives of the Burien Municipal Code and the King County Code (General Orders Manual 5.05.010, Burien Municipal Code 2.26.020, King County Code 2.15.020). 

View the King County Sheriff’s video message on immigration policies.  

In Case of Emergency 

If you believe you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you would like to share specific concerns or report activity you observed in Burien, you may contact the King County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (206) 296-3311. 

Resources 

The links below are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice from the City of Burien.  

Local Resources 

• Colectiva Legal: Immigration legal services 
• Latino Civic Alliance: Civil rights navigation program 
• Muslim American Youth Foundation: Resource navigation for immigrant and refugee families

Know Your Rights 

• Know Your Rights: Civil Immigration Enforcement in Washington (Washington State Office of the Attorney General)
• Know Your Rights Resources (Northwest Immigrant Rights Project)

Family Preparedness Planning 

• Immigrant Youth and Family Resources (Legal Counsel for Youth and Children)
• Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan / Plan de Preparación Familiar (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Employer Resources  

• A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace (National Immigration Law Center)

Legal Service Providers In Washington State 

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington provides information, assistance, and legal information to immigrants and refugees in Washington state.

Additional Resources 

• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.
• Washington state’s Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance provides a broad array of programs and services to help refugees and immigrants achieve economic self-sufficiency and cultural integration into Washington ‘s communities.
• Washington state RCW 10.93.160 describes immigration and citizenship status and law enforcement agency restrictions.
• National Immigrant Justice Center’s mission is to establish and defend the legal rights of immigrants, regardless of background, and to transform the immigration system to one that affords equal opportunity for all.
• Immigration Advocates Network provides an online legal services directory for Washington state. 

Celebrating the Burien Community 

In 2021, the Burien City Council passed Resolution No. 464, pledging to become a more welcoming place by joining Welcoming America’s national Welcoming Network. 

Since 2021, the City Council has issued a proclamation declaring one week in September as Welcoming Week in the city of Burien and hosted the Welcoming Burien event in Burien Town Square Park and is one of the first cities in the region to have a dedicated event for Welcoming Week. 

Since 2022, the City of Burien has funded and continued to grow the Community Connectors program, based on the trusted advocate model that honors the ability and knowledge of leaders from a wide spectrum of cultural, ethnic, and racial identities and experiences, including many immigrant and refugee communities, as experts on what their community needs to thrive. 

In 2023, the City Council issued a proclamation to celebrate Lunar New Year and uplift the many contributions of Asian Americans to the Burien community.  

In 2025, Burien’s first community Lunar New Year event, funded in part by Burien’s Neighborhood Grants Program and supported by a Burien Community Connector working with Vietnamese immigrants, was held at the Burien Library and City Hall Meeting Room.  

Updated March 18, 2026