How Seattle and King County are pushing back on ICE
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Seattle and King County are taking steps to limit the reach of federal immigration agents, including by blocking them from operating on city- and county-owned property.
Why it matters: The new laws reflect local officials' frustration with the Trump administration's mass deportation policy — and their efforts to push back where they can.
Here are a few of the city's and county's new guardrails, which local officials say are aimed largely at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Blocking ICE staging
In March, the Seattle City Council passed a measure banning "civil immigration enforcement staging" on city properties. The prohibition applies to city parks, plazas, offices and public housing, among other areas.
- The ordinance says ICE agents can't convene, set up equipment, or conduct surveillance in those places unless they have a signed order or warrant from a judge.
- The city is setting up signs in more than 600 areas noting the restrictions.
- King County passed a similar ban in late March and is setting up signs on its properties.
Detention center moratoria
Both Seattle and King County passed temporary bans on new detention centers within their boundaries, aiming to block new facilities that could be used by ICE.
- The bans last for one year, which supporters say will give local officials time to develop permanent standards for such facilities.
Limits on information sharing
Another new Seattle ordinance bans city employees from sharing private information to assist with civil immigration enforcement, absent a judicial order.
- A second measure clarifies that Seattle police can't inquire about someone's immigration status.
What they're saying: The goal is to "create greater stability and safeguards for our own communities" even as "the federal administration imposes chaos, violence, and fear across the country," King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said in a recent news release.
The other side: ICE didn't respond to a request for comment from Axios this week.
- Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, said in an unattributed statement that it is "conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe."
What's next: A separate review of Seattle's use of surveillance technology — including pausing the use of automated license plate readers — is underway amid concerns that the data could be accessed by ICE.