Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed two executive orders Wednesday addressing President Trump’s federal immigration policies and potential troop deployment in U.S. cities.
The first executive order prepares the city for deployment by evaluating all legal options and establishing coordination procedures should National Guard be sent to Seattle. The order ensures Seattle police understand their responsibilities and limitations regarding federal actions.
Harrell said Seattle police will not “enable the behavior” of the federal government. The executive order reaffirms the city’s “unwavering support for First Amendment activities,” including peaceful protests and organizing.
The second executive order aims to protect immigrant and refugee communities by banning law enforcement face mask use with few exceptions and requiring all law enforcement display visible badges identifying their agency. Harrell said enforcement mechanisms will be developed over the next few weeks.
The order aims to prevent masked ICE agents from carrying out what Harrell called a “cruel deportation agenda” within Seattle. Harrell called immigrants “the fabric of Seattle.”
Harrell has not received notice that National Guard will be deployed to Seattle.
The move follows Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Tuesday visit to Portland, where she visited the ICE facility in one of the latest locations Trump has deployed troops. During that visit, Noem defended the president’s actions, stating, “We believe the president has the right to keep every single citizen safe in this country.”
Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed an executive order protecting immigrant communities statewide.
Washington state also has the Keep Washington Working Act (KWW) in effect since 2019, limiting the extent local and state officers can work with federal immigration officers. State leaders are considering changes to that law following recent Trump Administration actions.
KWW has caught Trump Administration attention for creating a “sanctuary jurisdiction” within Washington state. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said KWW thwarts state law.
Trump has not announced National Guard deployment to any Washington state city as of publication.
