Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed two Executive Orders to safeguard Seattle communities from federal overreach and unlawful actions from the Trump administration, with a focus on preparedness and coordination in the event of unilateral troop deployment and protecting immigrant and refugee communities.
The first Executive Order protects local communities and control over law enforcement resources in the event that federalized National Guard troops are deployed to Seattle. The second Executive Order strengthens services to immigrant and refugee communities and proposes legislation to prohibit the practice of masked, non-uniformed federal agents conducting immigration enforcement raids within the City, as well as an ordinance to prevent federal law enforcement from staging on or conducting immigration enforcement operations on City property.
“We are in a truly unprecedented time in modern history where the president is talking about using American cities as ‘training grounds’ for the military – a disturbing statement that shows his disrespect for the law and disregard for the collaboration it takes between all levels of government to ensure our country thrives,” said Mayor Harrell. “As I said last week in partnership with Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown, we do not need federal troops in Seattle, and this dangerous strategy will only sow fear, distrust, and confusion in our communities. We cannot be under-prepared at this critical moment when President Trump is escalating his attacks on cities and carrying out his cruel deportation agenda on our immigrant and refugee neighbors with warrantless arrests by masked, un-identifiable officers. These Executive Orders are proactive steps we can take to protect our communities and values.”
Together, the Executive Orders will:
Coordinate legal and intergovernmental actions:
- Proactively evaluate and prepare all available legal options, ensuring readiness in the event of unlawful troop deployment.
- Establish coordination citywide if federalized troops are deployed, creating a task force so there is a clear process and communication in place.
- Ensure clear lines of communication and coordination with the Governor, Attorney General’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and community.
Increase transparency around immigration enforcement:
- Develop an ordinance to ban the use of face masks by law enforcement, with limited exceptions, in the City of Seattle and require law enforcement officials to have visible emblems and badges that identify their agency.
- Develop an ordinance that prohibits federal law enforcement from staging on or conducting immigration enforcement operations on City property.
- Provide the Seattle Police Department clear guidance on how to respond to 911 calls where masked or unidentified individuals are detaining people in the City.
Maintain local control and accountability of the Seattle Police Department (SPD):
- Strengthen policies preventing unconstitutional and unlawful encroachment on the roles, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of SPD by the federal government.
- Reaffirm that SPD has no role in federal civil immigration enforcement, which is solely the responsibility of the federal government.
Protect First Amendment activities:
- Reaffirm the City’s unwavering support for First Amendment activities, and in the event of unilateral troop deployment, directs the City to work with organizers to keep protests peaceful and minimize the potential for conflict.
So far this year, President Trump has deployed and threatened to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, Memphis, and Portland. Last month, a federal judge ruled that President Trump’s use of military troops in Los Angeles was illegal. Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the deployment of the state’s National Guard in Portland, finding no legal basis for deployment. The Trump administration attempted to circumvent the order by sending California National Guard to the city, which the judge also blocked over the weekend.
President Trump has justified his deployment of troops in American cities to address crime and restore safety. In Seattle, SPD data shows that violent crime, property crime, and shots fired incidents are down compared to last year, and homicides are down 41% compared to 2024. Additionally, SPD is making record-breaking progress to restore police staffing, with nearly 130 officers hired so far this year.
“True public safety is not something that can be achieved by parachuting federal troops into Seattle. Policing is a profession that demands training, accountability, and a deep understanding of our communities,” said Police Chief Shon Barnes. “Decisions about Seattle’s safety should be based on facts and community feedback — not political talking points from people who do not live here and have no stake in our neighborhoods. The Seattle Police Department remains committed to evidence-based policing and building trust and real partnerships with our diverse communities.”
The City has advanced multiple legal and legislative steps to protect residents from the Trump administration’s unlawful actions and funding cuts, including legislation to strengthens local protections for people seeking gender-affirming and reproductive health care; a lawsuit over DEI and gender ideology Executive Orders and unlawful conditioning of funds; a lawsuit challenging threats to cities with sanctuary policies; and a lawsuit over frozen counterterrorism funds through the Securing the Cities program.
The Mayor’s 2026 proposed budget also includes a $27.6 million investment plan to safeguard essential services threatened by federal funding cuts, including shelter, rental assistance, and food access programs, and a 70% increase in funding for immigrant and refugee services including legal supports, Know Your Rights trainings, and workforce development.
As part of the Executive Order, the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is launching a One Seattle Community Resource Fair series for community members and service providers. The events will connect residents with City services and resources from local community-based organizations. The first resource fair was Monday, October 6 and similar resource fairs are planned for the coming months.
“The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will devote resources and expertise to our close coordination with the Mayor’s office and other City departments, as outlined in both executive orders. A connected, fearless approach is what is needed right now to provide trust and safety during any potential deployment of the national guard, an encroachment purely meant to disrupt local control and threaten immigrant and refugee residents,” said OIRA Director Hamdi Mohamed. “Seattle’s immigrant residents are best served when they are empowered and informed about their rights, not targeted and misrepresented. The One Seattle approach outlined in these executive orders, along with coordination between state partners and community organizations, echoes loud and clear that Seattle will remain a Welcoming City.”
Additionally, OIRA will re-launch the Immigrant and Refugee Commission, following a brief hiatus earlier this year and is actively recruiting new members. The Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on issues directly impacting immigrants and refugees living and working in Seattle and supports advocacy and outreach efforts citywide.
