King County Council passes ban on ICE agents at county-owned properties after protestors disrupt meeting

The King County Council passed an ordinance Tuesday that bans U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from entering or operating within county-owned property.

The meeting and vote were met with contention when protesters became involved, calling on King County Council members to abolish ICE. Protesters waved anti-ICE signs and chanted during the meeting, according to KOMO News.

KOMO News also noted that most of the crowd supported the ordinance, but several people told the media outlet they believe more action is needed to protect immigrant communities.

The meeting was eventually moved online after the council chambers were cleared due to the heated public comments and protestors.

Measure codifies Zahilay’s executive order

With the measure passing, an executive order signed by King County Executive Girmay Zahilay in February is now in effect permanently.

The proposal was first sponsored by King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda.

“Just like any other violation of land use policy, we will ask for a civil injunction,” Mosqueda said, according to KIRO Newsradio. “We will ask them to halt their operations.”

If federal agents do not comply with the ban, authorities with the King County Sheriff’s Office will be directed to intervene.

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn told “The Gee and Ursula Show” ahead of the vote that he was voting against the ordinance because he thinks the law would be illegal.

“I think we’re going to get sued. What if ICE comes with a warrant? So we’ll see,” he said. “But I’m sensitive to the issue, and I understand why Teresa is doing it.”

Another item in Zahilay’s executive order allocates $2 million in emergency funding for immigrant and refugee communities to cover rent, food, and legal fees. The order also directs the King County Sheriff’s Office to publish protocols for responding to 911 calls reporting ICE activity.

King County Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall said in a statement that the order provides needed clarity for her deputies.

“Our work is centered on delivering public safety,” Cole-Tindall stated. “Today’s executive order provides direction and opportunity for us to clarify what our deputies can and cannot do when ICE operates in the communities we serve.”

The King County International Airport will also be required to upgrade security cameras and improve observation areas to ensure public access and increase transparency around deportation flights.

Seattle mayor announces similar executive order

In January, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced a similar executive order barring ICE agents from using city-owned property for civil immigration enforcement. Her order would also direct Seattle police to verify reports of immigration enforcement activity and document any incidents with in-car and body-worn video.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called Wilson’s plans “legally illiterate” in a statement to KIRO Newsradio.

“This is legally illiterate. Enforcing federal immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II, and the Supremacy Clause,” a DHS spokesperson wrote. “While this Seattle sanctuary politician continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto the streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make Seattle safe again.”

“How does this serve the people of Seattle? The biggest losers are the people she was elected to serve,” they added.

Days before Wilson’s order, the King County Council passed a motion urging Congress to place conditions on DHS funding. The conditions include requiring warrants for arrests, mandating body cameras, banning enforcement at schools, hospitals, and places of worship, ending contracts with for-profit detention facilities, and restoring oversight of ICE operations.

Contributing: Aaron Granillo and Frank Lenzi, KIRO Newsradio

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