Order 2026-03 – Community Protection and Civil Rights at Port of Seattle Facilities Page 1 of 4
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Sponsor(s): Commissioner Hasegawa 4
Commissioner Mohamed 5
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ORDER NO. 2026-03 7
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AN ORDER OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 9
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… to advance community protection and civil rights at Port of 11
Seattle facilities; restrict the use of Port property for civil 12
immigration enforcement purposes, and coordinate with regional 13
partners to ensure transparency, accountability, and the dignity of 14
all workers and travelers. 15
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PROPOSED 17
FEBRUARY 24, 2026 18
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INTRODUCTION 20
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Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people, the Port of Seattle promotes economic opportunity and 22
quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, 23
accountable, and environmentally responsible manner. 24
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From its earliest days, the Port’s success—and the region’s prosperity—has been tied to 26
welcoming people from around the world. Economic development in the Puget Sound region 27
depends on new residents seeking opportunity, international visitors conducting business, and 28
tourists choosing our region as a destination. Immigrants make up significant portion of the 29
regional workforce that keeps Port facilities operating every day, while international travelers and 30
business visitors are essential customers who support airlines, cruise lines, hospitality, retail, and 31
small businesses throughout the region. Policies or enforcement practices that create fear among 32
workers or deter visitors have direct economic consequences, as demonstrated in other regions 33
where aggressive federal immigration actions have resulted in business disruptions and substantial 34
economic losses. The Commission is committed to ensuring that all employees, tenants, and 35
members of the public at Port facilities are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of 36
immigration or citizenship status. 37
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Agenda Item No: 10b_Order
Meeting Date: February 24, 2026
Order 2026-03 – Community Protection and Civil Rights at Port of Seattle Facilities Page 2 of 4
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Customs and Border Protection, CBP, and Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, have offices at 43
Port facilities, including Seattle Tacoma International Airport, SEA. The Port recognizes the 44
important role these federal agencies play in carrying out their immigration and customs 45
enforcement responsibilities at our ports of entry. 46
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With increased immigration enforcement and a shift in how existing immigration policies are 48
implemented, the Port is committed to ensuring that our workforce, SEA workers, and our 49
communities have access to the most up-to-date and effective information to keep their families 50
and communities informed and safe. 51
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Regional partners, including the City of Seattle and King County, have adopted complementary 53
actions to protect immigrant communities and promote transparency. Through this Order, the Port 54
aligns its policies and practices with applicable law and regional efforts while continuing to respect 55
lawful federal authority in existing federal operations. 56
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TEXT OF THE ORDER 58
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The Port Commission hereby directs the Executive Director to implement the following: 60
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1. Restrictions on Use of Port Property 62
Except as related to current, limited civil immigration detention facilities and support facilities 63
located on Port property, or to the extent the restrictions are in conflict with federal law, the use 64
of Port property will be restricted as follows: 65
• Port property shall not be used for civil immigration detention facilities. 66
• Port property shall not be used for civil immigration enforcement support facilities, such 67
as for vehicle staging, equipment storage, operational briefings, or administrative 68
functions. 69
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New leases, permits, or agreements for the use of Port property shall not authorize civil 71
immigration detention facilities or support facilities. Existing agreements shall be reviewed, 72
where practicable, for consistency with this Order and applicable law. 73
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This provision shall sunset within three years of adoption pending Executive Director review. 75
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2. Know Your Rights Resources for Tenants and Workers 77
• The Port shall expand access to “Know Your Rights” training and informational 78
resources for Port tenants and their employees at aviation and maritime facilities. 79
Order 2026-03 – Community Protection and Civil Rights at Port of Seattle Facilities Page 3 of 4
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Training shall be conducted by qualified persons with expertise in immigration law and 80
civil rights. 81
• The Port shall collaborate with tenants on strategies to support worker awareness of 82
rights and appropriate workplace protocols. 83
• All materials developed pursuant to this Order shall be made available in English, 84
Spanish, and other commonly spoken languages, including but not limited to Vietnamese, 85
Somali, Korean, Amharic, Chinese, Japanese, American Sign Language, and Tagalog at 86
Port facilities, consistent with the Port’s language access practices. 87
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3. Employee Response Protocols 89
• The Port Immigration Workgroup shall maintain a rapid confirmation protocol to assess 90
and verify reports of immigration enforcement activity at Port facilities in order to 91
maintain safety and security, and to reduce confusion by the public. 92
• The Executive Director shall ensure that relevant Port employees receive ongoing 93
guidance on appropriate interactions with federal immigration authorities consistent with 94
Port policy. 95
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4. State and Regional Coordination 97
• The Port shall coordinate community protection efforts with the state and regional 98
partners, including the City of Seattle, King County, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance, 99
to promote consistency in public-facing information and appropriate strategies. 100
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5. Implementation and Reporting 102
• The Executive Director shall develop any necessary procedures, guidance, or training 103
materials to implement this Order. 104
• The Executive Director shall provide periodic briefings to the Commission regarding 105
implementation progress and any material legal or operational developments affecting 106
this Order. 107
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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER 109
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The Port of Seattle’s economic vitality depends on the contributions of the diverse communities 111
that live and work throughout the region. Immigrant workers are essential to the continued success 112
of SEA, maritime terminals, and the businesses operating on Port property. 113
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This Order builds upon the Commission’s prior actions, including Order 2023-05, directing the 115
Executive to develop a portwide policy on language access and the strengthened Welcoming Port 116
Policy Directive, which affirmed the Port’s commitment to equity, civil rights, and ensuring that 117
Port facilities remain welcoming and accessible to all. 118
Order 2026-03 – Community Protection and Civil Rights at Port of Seattle Facilities Page 4 of 4
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Washington State’s Keep Washington Working Act (Chapter 440, Laws of 2019; RCW 10.93, 120
43.10, and 43.17) establishes clear limits on the use of state and local resources for federal civil 121
immigration enforcement and reflects the state’s commitment to public safety, civil rights, and 122
community trust. This Order aligns the Port’s practices with that law and provides additional 123
clarity regarding the use of Port property and facilities. 124
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Concerns regarding civil immigration enforcement have created fear and uncertainty among our 126
communities, including workers and travelers nationwide. Clear, transparent policies governing 127
the use of Port property help maintain public confidence, ensure consistency with state law, and 128
reinforce trust between government and the communities it serves. 129
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Across Washington State and the Puget Sound region, state and local governments have taken 131
steps to limit the use of public resources for civil immigration enforcement and to protect personal 132
information. This Order aligns the Port’s practices with those regional efforts while preserving 133
lawful federal authority where required. 134
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Through this action, the Commission affirms that Port property will be stewarded responsibly, 136
consistent with state law, regional values, and the Port’s mission. The Commission reinforces that 137
the Port will continue to operate as a welcoming international gateway—one that protects 138
economic stability, upholds state law, and supports the dignity and contributions of all who live, 139
work, and travel through our region. 140
