King County reviewing draft guidance on ICE enforcement in WA
KING COUNTY, Wash. - The King County Sheriff's Office is developing protocols for how its deputies will handle reports of ICE activity in the area.
The backstory:
Last month, the King County executive announced that he wanted to have a plan from the King County Sheriff's Office about how it would deal with any issues related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. He also laid out steps he wants to take to protect refugees and immigrants.
The King County Executives Office says it received draft guidance from the sheriff's office on the day it was due. Officials said the draft is being reviewed and that a final version, which will be made public, is still in development. The guidance is not specific to the FIFA World Cup and is intended to apply to all reports of federal immigration enforcement.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said he would prohibit ICE from staging or conducting civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of county-owned buildings and properties. He also said $2 million will be spent helping immigrants and refugees with rental assistance, food and legal aid.
The King County executive called on the sheriff's office to have an outline available to the public explaining the roles and responsibilities it will take on in the matter. He wants to help make it clear how to identify and differentiate deputies from federal immigration officers.
At the same time, new research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights shows a sharp increase in immigration arrests during the final three months of 2025 in Washington, Oregon and Alaska, with nearly 2,250 arrests.
"The data does is confirm what people have been reporting," Director for the UW Center for Human Rights, Angelina Godoy, said.
County-by-county data shows some of the largest increases occurred in King, Yakima and Clark counties.
"People are increasingly scared, especially about driving arrests on the street," Godoy said.
Godoy said the findings reflect concerns among migrants about safety. While she praised county leaders for developing a plan, she said new policies alone may not be enough.
"We should start by plugging the holes in existing policies before we craft new ones, or put up new signs, or all those kinds of things. We need to have a state that abides by its own laws," Godoy said.
Leaders with ICE have said the agency and Homeland Security Investigations will be part of the overall security approach for the World Cup in the U.S.
What they're saying:
Last month, DHS released a statement regarding the World Cup:
"DHS will work with our local and federal partners to secure 2026 FIFA World Cup — in line with federal law the U.S. Constitution — as we do with every major sporting event, while showcasing American greatness to the entire world. Our mission is simple: ensure every fan – Americans and visitors alike – has a safe and unforgettable experience.
"International visitors who legally come to the United States for the World Cup have nothing to worry about. What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is whether or not they are illegally in the U.S.— full stop. Speculation to the contrary is ill-informed. At the same time, foreign visitors MUST be proactive and should start working on their travel plans and documents well ahead of time to ensure a smooth travel experience."
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson also had an executive order that would prevent ICE from using city-owned properties for certain operations.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story suggested the King County Sheriff’s Office’s ICE enforcement guidance was related to the FIFA World Cup. The Executive Office says the draft guidance is countywide and not specific to any event.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.
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