King County Leaders Move to Block ICE Detention Expansion

King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda introduced separate legislation Feb. 12 barring ICE officers from entering non-public areas of county properties without a judicial warrant. The SeaTac City Council adopted a temporary moratorium on establishing or expanding detention facilities, while Seattle Port Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa plans to introduce an order Feb. 24 prohibiting new uses of Port properties for immigration detention.

Many legislative moves respond to reported allegations of abuse at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. The GEO Group, which operates the facility, rejected the allegations. The Washington State Department of Health said its inspectors have been routinely denied access to the facility and are pursuing litigation.

Local officials acknowledged legal uncertainty surrounding their efforts. The U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause establishes that federal law generally preempts conflicting state and local laws.

Officials across jurisdictions said they are coordinating responses, with other proposals under consideration including a moratorium on detention facilities in unincorporated areas.