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Renton council asks administration to study banning ICE from city property and to revisit LGBTQ protections
Summary
The Renton City Council voted June 1 to refer to the city administration a proposed ban on ICE official use of city-owned property and to request the administration revisit a previously proposed resolution to increase protections for LGBTQ residents, after public comments tied the items to concerns about the upcoming FIFA World Cup and local safety.
The Renton City Council voted on June 1 to refer two separate measures to the city administration for legal review and possible action: a proposed ban on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from official use of city-owned property “within our legal means,” and a request to revisit a previously proposed resolution to increase protections for LGBTQ residents.
Council Member Ria introduced the motion to refer a ban on ICE from city property, saying the city should “show ICE that they are not welcome in our city” and seeking an analysis of what the city can legally do. Council Member Van seconded the motion. After brief discussion about the limits of municipal authority and whether areas open to the public could be restricted, the motion carried, with recorded voice responses for and against.
The referral follows numerous public comments urging action. Resident Deafany Baird told the council that cities hosting large events such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup should take steps used elsewhere, including prohibiting ICE from city-owned property and issuing fines: “Please show ICE that they are not welcome in our city,” Baird said during the public-comment period.
Ria separately moved to ask the administration to resubmit and rework a 2025 draft resolution intended to strengthen city protections for queer and trans residents; that motion also carried. In explaining the motion, Ria said the city had not previously received clear follow-up on the draft and that the community had asked for actionable protections, particularly in the wake of a local hate-crime incident. “I would really love to explore doing this again,” Ria said.
Council members debated procedure and scope on the floor. The mayor and council clarified that some uses of city property are permissive and that the city attorney would need to research whether and how ICE could be excluded from public areas or restricted from specific facilities. Council Member Van said referring the matter to the administration was appropriate because any ordinance, policy, or resolution would require legal review and staff implementation.
The council did not adopt an ordinance or pass a binding ban at the meeting. The administration and city attorney were tasked with researching legal options and returning recommendations to the council.
What happens next: The administration will review legal authority, report back to the council and may propose ordinance language or alternative measures. No timeline was set at the meeting.
