Template revised April 12, 2018.

DATE: May 8, 2018

TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM: Eric Schinfeld, Sr. Manager, Federal & International Government Relations

support for, immigrant and refugee communities.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Engaging with people from around the world is essential to the success of the Port of Seattle,

both morally and economically:

• We benefit from international travelers who use our airport and cruise terminals.

• We thrive when global consumers purchase goods that are shipped through our

container terminals or our air cargo facilities.

• We celebrate the $540 million in seafood exports sent through the Northwest Seaport

Alliance, caught by the thousands of North Pacific fishing boats that homeport at

work for other companies and at or around our facilities such as concessionaires, taxi

and TNC drivers serving our airport and cruise terminals, truck drivers at the seaport,

and the crews of cruise ships and container ships. We encourage their participation in

the family wage jobs that the Port helps create.

 We rely on our immigrant and refugee residents to foster not only our economic

growth but also our cultural vibrancy, and we benefit tremendously from the large

number of diverse immigrants and refugees who contribute to the development of a

diverse and enriched community.

Unfortunately, the last year and a half has brought immigrant and refugee issues to the

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

policies might reduce the international tourism that is so essential to our local and state

economy.

Therefore, it is essential during this time in our national dialogue on immigration to implement

a clear policy directive that provides guidance to staff on how to handle issues related to

immigrants, refugees, and foreign visitors, and that shares more broadly to the general public

the Port’s commitment to this topic.

JUSTIFICATION

As a global gateway, these issues are particularly relevant to our region and state. For example,

Since President Trump’s Executive Order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries

was put into effect on January 27, 2017, the Port of Seattle has been increasing its efforts to

support and protect the rights and quality of life of immigrants, refugees, and foreign visitors.

From an initial press conference at the airport with other local, state, and federal elected

officials to submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court’s first consideration of a challenge

to the Executive Order, the Port has taken on a local and national leadership role on this and

many other related issues. We have called for permanent legal protections for those eligible for

the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and support comprehensive

immigration reforms that will ensure our region’s and state’s economy has the workforce to

relationships, or to impede the work of those personnel at our facilities. However, we strongly

believe that the Port can be safe, secure, and comply with all federal law, while simultaneously

being welcoming, accessible to all, and supportive of those immigrants, refugees, and foreign

visitors who use our facilities.

DETAILS

The key components of the Welcoming Port Policy Directive, as proposed by the resolution,

include the following:

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

Second, to achieve the goals articulated above, the Commission directs the Executive Director

to undertake the following steps by December 31, 2018:

• Unless required by local, state or federal law, or international treaty, all applications,

questionnaires, and interview forms used in relation to the provision of Port

to provide free interpretation and translation services for the most prevalent

languages spoken in our region, based on an annual review of the top six languages

identified by the King County demographer. When a limited-English-proficient (LEP)

person who speaks one of those six languages seeks or receives services, the Port shall

make reasonable efforts to provide prompt interpretation services in all interactions

with the person, whether the interaction is done remotely or in-person. In addition,

the Port will continue to meet all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other

federal requirements that ensure that LEP individuals have meaningful access to our

services. Where an application or form administered by the Port requires completion

in English by a limited-English-proficient person, the Port shall make reasonable

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

acknowledgment by the limited-English-proficient person that the form was translated

and completed by an interpreter. The Port shall develop language assistance plans

that identify which of its vital documents and public communication materials need to

be translated. The plans should also include identification of plans for providing

translation of webpages, automated telephonic greetings, automated telephonic voice

messages, and informational signage.

• The Port will continue to ensure that all employees – including Port law enforcement

officers – are committed to welcoming and respectful treatment of immigrants,

refugees, and foreign visitors – including not initiating police action based solely on an

• The Port will continue to defer detainer requests from the U.S. Department of

Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or CBP to King

County, as jails are in King County’s jurisdiction. Similarly, the Port will not enter into

any contract, agreement, or arrangement that would grant federal civil immigration

enforcement authority or powers to the Port or its law enforcement officers; provide

federal immigration agents with access to databases without a judicial warrant; carry

out a civil arrest based on an administrative warrant separately or in combination with

an ICE or CBP detainer request; or provide personal information to federal

immigration authorities for purposes of civil immigration enforcement, absent a

• The Port will work in collaboration with local refugee resettlement organizations such

as World Relief, Jewish Family Services, International Rescue Committee, and others

to identify ways to increase the ease and decrease the cost of welcoming newly

arriving refugees through Sea-Tac Airport.

• The Port will join the Seattle-based advocacy organization One America in

participating in the “Red, White and Blue – Time for Citizenship” initiative by posting

signage at strategic places throughout Sea-Tac Airport encouraging eligible lawful

permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship, and by hosting an on-site citizenship

clinic for airport employees and local residents who are lawful permanent residents to

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

Port should consider expanding these clinics to provide access to other services for

immigrant and refugee populations. The Port shall also explore other ways to use its

facilities to support immigrant and refugee communities, such as when we provided

office space for immigration lawyers during the peak of the “travel ban” activity.

• The Port will continue to explore ways to cooperate with local jurisdictions, nonprofit

organizations, and others to support local immigrant and refugee communities,

including potential partnerships on workforce development and economic

development.

United States Code Title 8, Section 1373. Nothing in this directive shall be interpreted to

course of Port-related business, nor prohibit any Port employee from participating in cross-

designation or task-force activities with local or federal law enforcement authorities for

criminal law enforcement.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

To the extent the Welcoming Port Policy Directive has financial implications, these will be

identified and evaluated annually for inclusion in applicable Port of Seattle operating budget

proposals to the Port of Seattle Commission.