King County executive responds to federal stance on immigration laws

King County Executive Dow Constantine on Monday issued the following statement in response to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice about sanctuary jurisdictions and immigration laws.

"The White House continues to use fear to try to divide us. Their intent is clear, but the legal authority is not. If this is about complying with federal law, King County should continue to receive federal funds for important criminal justice programs.

"If this is about coercing a local jurisdiction to imprison people without judicial process then no, we will not be bullied - we will continue to honor the Constitution, rather than the extrajudicial orders of any person, including the President. That may or may not put some Department of Justice funding to communities like ours at risk. If this order is a precursor to an attempt to withhold other federal funds, the White House will face legal challenges. Case law restricts the federal government's ability to place extraneous conditions on spending and grants for state and local governments.

"As I have stated many times, we will honor ICE detainer requests only if accompanied by an appropriate, legal order. That is consistent with the Constitution, and our values. Today's announcement attempts to undermine both."

Here is the funding that King County is scheduled to receive - both directly and indirectly - from the U.S. Department of Justice during the 2017-2018 biennium, according to a county media release:

$1 million to King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention

$400,000 to Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget for recidivism/reentry coordinator

$90,000 to King County Sheriff's Office for trauma-informed domestic violence training

$1,146,028 to King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for firearms cases

$250,153 to King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for domestic violence cases

$454,857 to King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for cases involving youth

$175,027 to King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for victims of crime assistance