
Less than a week after President Donald Trump returned to office, he is already taking action on his promise to deport undocumented immigrants. His administration has issued sweeping executive orders that empower Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to intensify enforcement of immigration laws. In a recent social media post, ICE reported “592 arrests, 449 detainers lodged,” without providing additional context.
As a sanctuary city, Seattle is responding to these developments. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office shared a statement emphasizing the city’s commitment to being a welcoming place for all residents. The statement acknowledged the fear and uncertainty created by the federal government’s heightened rhetoric and actions.
Mayor Harrell has issued a directive to all executive branch departments concerning federal immigration enforcement, reinforcing the city’s policies designed to protect the safety, privacy, and constitutional rights of Seattle residents. The statement highlighted that the federal government is solely responsible for enforcing civil immigration laws, and Seattle will avoid entangling local law enforcement in these efforts. The city has not verified rumors regarding alleged ICE enforcement actions.
Seattle is dedicated to assisting its employees and communities, particularly immigrant populations, in understanding their rights and obligations under the law. Any city department contacted by ICE is required to inform the mayor’s office immediately. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) plans to conduct trainings to empower communities with knowledge about their rights. Additionally, OIRA will provide internal training for city personnel to ensure they are aware of relevant laws.
Amid speculation on social media about an ICE raid on a building at 3rd and University, local news agencies inquired with ICE, which denied the claims, stating, “This was not a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement encounter.”
King County remains committed to being a welcoming environment for immigrants, recognizing their essential contributions to the region’s cultural and economic vitality. The county continues to uphold the Keep Washington Working Act, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and prohibits county departments, including the King County Sheriff’s Office, from assisting ICE without a court-issued warrant. Furthermore, an ordinance passed in 2017 limits the immigration-related information that county employees can gather or disclose, ensuring that ICE has restricted access to this data and that employees are not obligated to share information unless legally required.