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Mayor's office briefs council on federal changes, emphasizes immigrant protections and interagency readiness
Summary
At a Jan. 13 Seattle City Council briefing, the mayor's office and departments outlined preparations for likely federal policy changes, prioritized immigrant and refugee protections, and described departmental actions and community supports.
Deputy Mayor Greg Wong and executive staff briefed the City Council on Jan. 13 about steps the city has taken to prepare for potential federal policy changes, with a central focus on immigrant, refugee and migrant protections.
"The number one word that came up," Wong said about discussions occurring across local governments, "was uncertainty." He added the city is emphasizing internal coordination, regional collaboration and readiness focused first on immigrant-refugee-migrant issues.
Why it matters: city staff said certain first-day federal actions are likely to fall in immigration policy, and those shifts can produce a "chilling effect" that discourages immigrants from accessing health care, schools and city services.
Key elements the executive described: - A mayoral directive to department directors asking departments to identify lead staff for rapid response, review policies for compliance with Washington law, protect residents' privacy, and prioritize use of city resources for city work. Deputy Mayor Wong said departments were instructed to call the mayor's office and the city attorney if federal authorities seek access to city buildings or staff so the city can verify judicial authority before cooperating. - The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) advised the council that rhetoric and policy proposals during prior federal administrations created a chilling effect and that OIRA currently contracts with about 30 community-based organizations providing direct services, legal help and workforce programs. Director Hamdi Mohammed said the city is focused on "ensuring that people get accurate information" and on combating misinformation that discourages service use. - OIRA cited local and state protections: Seattle Ordinance 121063 (restricting city staff inquiries about immigration status without legal authority) and the Washington Keep Washington Working Act. OIRA also flagged national policy proposals and agendas discussed publicly, including Project 2025, as a source of community concern. - The Human Services Department described ongoing investments that support LGBTQ+ residents and other vulnerable groups, including contracts or programs with the Seattle LGBTQ+ Center, Gay City: Seattle's LGBTQ+ Health Resource, Lambert House (youth drop-in services) and GenPride (capacity building for organizations serving LGBTQ+ older adults). Director Tanya Kim described these as part of the department's base budget. - The mayoral office said it will continue regional coordination with state, county and other cities and coordinate with the city's federal lobbying team in Washington, D.C.
Council members asked for continued briefings and regular communication with community partners. Several council members spoke to the need to avoid creating unnecessary alarm while also communicating clearly that city protections and services remain available. Councilmember Alex Rivera and others said the city must send a "united front" message to immigrant communities that Seattle will continue to be a sanctuary jurisdiction.
The executive said it will implement the mayoral directive, finalize a "train-the-trainer" program for departments through OIRA, continue know-your-rights trainings, and coordinate legal and legislative responses as needed.
