Seattle bans new detention centers in defiance of federal immigration policies
Seattle has taken another step to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. On Tuesday, the city council passed a one-year ban on new or expanded detention facilities. The move builds on earlier actions against the Trump administration's immigration policies.
The latest measure follows an executive order by Mayor Katie Wilson in late January. Her directive barred ICE from operating on city property and set rules for police to document raids. The council then turned her order into law, adding signs on city land to warn off immigration officers.
Seattle already blocks federal access to data from local programmes, such as senior and health services. Now, Councilmember Dionne Foster pushed through legislation to extend those protections. The new law specifically shields residents' immigration status from federal officials.
The city's actions come as the Trump administration plans a major expansion of detention capacity. Nationwide, detention beds could rise from 40,000 last year to 80,000–100,000 by 2026. Currently, the Seattle area has only one ICE detention centre, located in Tacoma.
Next, the council will review its data-sharing policies. The goal is to reinforce safeguards and prevent any gaps in resident protections.
The moratorium on detention facilities lasts for one year. It reflects Seattle's broader effort to resist federal immigration enforcement. The council's review will determine whether further steps are needed to protect resident information.
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