12-6-2018
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Whatcom County Council passed a resolution supporting continued access to health care and other services for immigrants regardless of their immigration status.
The resolution passed at Tuesday’s meeting allows the council and the Whatcom County Health Board to weigh-in on proposed changes to federal law that they say would limit immigrants’ access to health care, food stamps and housing services.
It states that increased fear of detention and deportation have made many local immigrant families avoid health care services, and the proposed cuts in federal funding would increase the burden on the county to serve its residents.
The resolution says the council and the Health Board “stand in support of our immigrant families” regardless of immigration status.
Councilmember Byrd was the only one who opposed the resolution, which passed with a 6-1 vote.