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Everett public commenters split over mayoral directive on immigration enforcement and vehicle-camera access
Summary
Public commenters and local groups traded sharp criticism and praise over a mayoral directive about Immigration and Customs Enforcement and city rules for access to license-plate/vehicle camera data, with speakers urging both rescinding the directive and protecting immigrant residents' rights.
Everett public commenters on March 4 sharply disagreed over a recent mayoral directive addressing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local access to surveillance data.
Online commenter Liz Vogley said ICE has carried out "unlawful detentions" and praised Mayor Franklin for publishing a directive that informs residents of their rights. "Thank goodness we have a mayor willing to attempt to protect her constituents by publishing a directive that shows people their rights," Vogley said, adding that entering a 287(g) partnership "to remove criminal aliens is ridiculous and redundant."
South Everett resident Jen Chong Juel thanked the mayor for issuing the directive and for invoking existing laws such as the Keep Washington Working Act, saying city leaders should stand for "due process and human rights." "I have a lot of gratitude for Mayor Franklin listening to community and responding to community," she told the council.
By contrast, Travis Partardo, research fellow at the Family Policy Institute of Washington, urged the mayor to rescind what he described as a directive to expose ICE locations and "intervene in their operations," calling the approach a mistake and urging cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. "We believe this initiative is a mistake. We hope this will be corrected," Partardo said.
John Peoples, who submitted a written comment and later spoke in chambers, also urged the city to work with federal authorities and recommended removing Flock (vehicle/ALPR) cameras to protect civil liberties. He said the council "owes it to us to acknowledge" other perspectives and that public safety requires cooperation with law enforcement.
The council did not take formal action on immigration policy at the March 4 meeting. Multiple speakers framed their comments as reactions to Mayor Franklin's recent directive; Mayor Franklin had earlier told the council she would be traveling to national events and intended to advocate federally for local priorities, but she was not on the dais for the public-comment discussion.
Why it matters: The exchange shows strong local disagreement over how Everett should balance cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and protections for immigrant residents. The subject also overlaps with the city's policies on access to vehicle-camera and license-plate reader data—topics that have statutory and policy implications beyond any single council meeting.
What’s next: The council did not vote on immigration-related policy at the meeting. Those seeking to influence future action were advised to monitor council agendas; a related executive-session matter on collective bargaining was held later in the meeting but concerned different topics.
Sources: Comments from Liz Vogley, Jen Chong Juel, Travis Partardo, and John Peoples during public comment at the March 4, 2026 Everett City Council meeting.
