Advocate suspicious over Burien mayor’s departure during ‘sanctuary city’ vote

A member of a local advocacy group pushing for Burien to become a “sanctuary city” says it’s suspicious that the mayor and deputy mayor left before the council voted on the issue.

KING 5 reports the Burien City Council voted earlier this week on officially making Burien a sanctuary city. An approval would shield residents from being asked about immigration status by city employees.

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The vote, however, was 3-2, KING 5 reports. Under state law, the ordinance would need majority approval. Because Mayor Lucy Krakowiak and Deputy Mayor Bob Edgar weren’t present, the vote didn’t actually count, according to KING 5.

Norma Gonzalez of Colectiva Legal Del Pueblo told KING 5 the decision by Krakowiak and Edgar “sent a strong message” that they don’t support Burien becoming a sanctuary city.

Edgar told KING 5 he left the meeting early because he didn’t feel well, but wouldn’t clarify if he supported the ordinance. He also said he has “comments” regarding the ordinance if it is on another agenda.

The councilmember who pushed for the ordinance wants to try again during the Jan. 9 meeting.

Krakowiak didn’t respond to messages left by KING 5.

The issue of sanctuary cities entered the spotlight with Donald Trump presidential candidacy. The president-elect has been vocal over deporting illegal immigrants and cutting funding to sanctuary cities.

Seattle, for example, has grappled with the issue, but Mayor Ed Murray remains undeterred by Trump.

“Seattle remains the city guided by our values of equality, inclusion, openness and equity,” Murray said after Trump was elected.

Murray said Seattle would remain a sanctuary city that will shelter illegal immigrants, even if it means losing federal funding. He said Seattle is committed to building and growing its relationship with the government of Mexico.

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