‘All are welcome,’ Councilwoman pushes immigrant safety in Lynnwood
LYNNWOOD—A proposed resolution before the Lynnwood City Council aims to clarify the city’s stance on federal immigration enforcement and outline steps to better inform residents of their constitutional rights. After concerns from Police Chief Cole Langdon about potential legal liability for officers, Councilwoman Isabel Mata amended the measure to remove language that would have directed […]
Everett mayor issues Directive to shield community from ICE, encourages police intervene in federal enforcement
EVERETT — Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a directive Wednesday outlining the city’s response to federal immigration enforcement, aiming to protect residents’ privacy and civil rights amid growing concerns over aggressive tactics by federal agents. Franklin signed Mayoral Directive 2026-01 on Feb. 25, announcing it during the City Council meeting that evening. The measure, effective […]
WA lawmakers want to restrict ICE access to schools, health facilities
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Legislation to force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to get court approval before entering schools and health care facilities cleared the Washington state Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 5906 covers “nonpublic areas” of preschools, K-12 schools, health facilities, adult family homes, higher education institutions and election offices. It also prohibits early learning providers and […]
King County Executive allocates $2M for immigrant services, bars ICE from properties
SEATTLE—King County Executive Girmay Zahilay signed his first executive order since taking office earlier this year, directing $2 million in emergency funding toward immigrant and refugee communities and barring federal immigration agents (ICE) from staging enforcement operations in non-public county properties. The move came in response to growing fears among residents over intensified federal immigration […]
ICE Out: Heated debate on bill to bar hiring of ICE agents
OLYMPIA [CASSIE DIAMOND]—Lawmakers clashed during a public hearing for a bill that would prohibit Washington law enforcement agencies from employing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers hired after Trump’s second-term inauguration. During a House Community Safety Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 29, the division between Democratic and Republican legislators regarding their stances towards ICE was made […]
WA Senate passes ban on police face coverings
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—The Washington state Senate voted Wednesday to ban law enforcement from covering their faces in response to growing concerns over masked federal immigration agents. Senate Bill 5855 would cover local, state and federal law enforcement, with limited exceptions for uses like personal protective equipment and undercover or SWAT operations. The proposal is sure to […]
Lynnwood’s Flock Cameras Under Fire: Boosting Public Safety or Eroding Privacy in the Fight Against Crime?
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood Police Department on Friday, October 24, issued a statement to clarify and “address potential misconceptions” of its use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology in response to a recent report by the University of Washington Center for Human Rights. The report titled, “Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems and Immigration Enforcement in Washington State,” […]
