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Immigrant advocates urge King County to block ICE staging, fund legal aid and protect data; executive announces $2M emergency fund and guidance deadline
Summary
Community members and immigrant‑service organizations urged the King County Council to ban ICE staging on county property, expand legal and rental assistance, end data sharing and review contracts. The executive office announced an order with seven steps, including $2 million in emergency funds and a March 16, 2026 deadline for sheriff guidance on potential federal enforcement actions.
Dozens of public commenters and community organizations pressed King County elected officials on Feb. 24 to take immediate steps to protect residents from escalating federal immigration enforcement and to invest in legal and basic‑needs support.
Residents who came to the Committee of the Whole urged a countywide ban on ICE conducting enforcement on county‑owned property, stronger protection for schools, rental and food assistance, and guaranteed legal representation for people in removal proceedings. "We have close to 3,000 people who signed in support of our demands," Rosario Lopez, a Central District resident, told the committee.
Community groups presented data and recommendations. Vanessa Reyes, policy manager at the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, said the statewide deportation defense hotline has received more than 2,000 calls so far in 2026 with about 160 intakes from King County residents in January and early February. Reyes described multi‑agent operations in public spaces, use of unmarked vehicles,…
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