Seattle has pledged to resist the anticipated immigration policies of the forthcoming Trump administration.
Mayor Bruce Harrell's office has issued a directive to all city departments, prohibiting employees from collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies, including Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). The city is also providing ongoing training to illegal immigrants on how to evade federal arrest.
"Seattle is a sanctuary city, let me be clear, that is not going to change," declared Democrat city councilor Maritza Rivera during a city council meeting on Monday. The meeting was convened to discuss the expected executive orders from the incoming administration targeting illegal immigration. "Immigrant communities in the city of Seattle can rest assured that we have their back," Rivera affirmed.
According to The Post Millennial, the Seattle City Council, in conjunction with the Mayor's Office, Human Services, and the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, convened to discuss the uncertainties surrounding the immigration measures that the incoming presidential administration is poised to implement. These measures include mass deportations, the abolition of sanctuary cities, and the resumption of border wall construction. During the meeting, city legislators and department officials scrutinized local and state laws designed to protect the rights of illegal immigrants.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to withdraw federal funding from any city or state that maintains a "sanctuary" status. Seattle, however, is ready for a potential confrontation with the forthcoming Trump administration. "We are not ignorant, we know things are coming, we just don't know yet and the best thing that we can do is prepare and I feel confident we're doing that," Rivera stated.
Deputy Mayor Greg Wong echoed Rivera's sentiments. He detailed that Mayor Harrell issued a directive to all city departments, prohibiting employees from cooperating with ICE should federal agents arrive at city buildings or other locations. Employees have been instructed to immediately contact the Mayor's Office, which would then liaise with the City Attorney's Office "to understand whether or not there is sufficient judicial authority for ICE to access whatever the request is," Wong explained.
Wong also noted that Seattle has been liaising with other sanctuary jurisdictions, both locally and nationwide, to coordinate response strategies in the event that Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan disrupts sanctuary cities with federal agents. "We know that federal changes by their nature are federal. Theyre going to be nationwide, and I think this is a really important thing to keep in mind is that Seattle does not stand alone. We will be working with our partners at the state level.And other cities across the country that are similarly situated to make sure that we are coordinated in our response efforts," Wong said. "We've already begun many of those conversations." Furthermore, local officials have been conducting "Know Your Rights" training sessions, which instruct illegal immigrants on how to evade federal arrest if confronted by ICE agents.
Democratic city councilor Alexis Mercedes Rinck expressed apprehension about potential retaliation should the city fail to comply with Trump's directives. "I think there's concern about retaliation towards the state of Washington and Seattle, we've seen that historically, Seattle and Washington being singled out by Donald Trump and his administration," Rinck said.
City officials have been in regular contact with federal lobbyists in Washington, DC, to monitor changes in immigration policy. City Council President Sara Nelson reiterated the city's commitment to collaborate with the state and other cities across the country to obstruct Trump's immigration agenda. "We have to constantly stay on our guard and we are. I feel really lucky to be in Seattle. Not every city is what Seattle is," Rivera stated.
This pledge of defiance follows a promise from Trump's new Border Czar, Tom Homan, to incarcerate officials who obstruct federal authorities' efforts to tackle the illegal immigration crisis in sanctuary cities and states. Washington state ranks among the top five sanctuary states in the country with the highest population of illegal immigrants.
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