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Agenda Item No: 10b_Order
Meeting Date: February 24, 2026

Sponsor(s): Commissioner Hasegawa
Commissioner Mohamed
ORDER NO. 2026-03
AN ORDER OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
... to advance community protection and civil rights at Port of
Seattle facilities; restrict the use of Port property for civil
immigration enforcement purposes, and coordinate with regional
partners to ensure transparency, accountability, and the dignity of
all workers and travelers.

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Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people, the Port of Seattle promotes economic opportunity and
quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable,
accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.

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From its earliest days, the Port's success-and the region's prosperity-has been tied to
welcoming people from around the world. Economic development in the Puget Sound region
depends on new residents seeking opportunity, international visitors conducting business, and
tourists choosing our region as a destination. Immigrants make up significant portion of the
regional workforce that keeps Port facilities operating every day, while international travelers and
business visitors are essential customers who support airlines, cruise lines, hospitality, retail, and
small businesses throughout the region. Policies or enforcement practices that create fear among
workers or deter visitors have direct economic consequences, as demonstrated in other regions
where aggressive federal immigration actions have resulted in business disruptions and substantial
economic losses. The Commission is committed to ensuring that all employees, tenants, and
members of the public at Port facilities are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of
immigration or citizenship status.

PROPOSED
FEBRUARY 24, 2026
INTRODUCTION

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Order 2026-03 - Community Protection and Civil Rights at Port of Seattle Facilities

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Customs and Border Protection, CBP, and Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, have offices at
Port facilities, including Seattle Tacoma International Airport, SEA. The Port recognizes the
important role these federal agencies play in carrying out their immigration and customs
enforcement responsibilities at our ports of entry.

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With increased immigration enforcement and a shift in how existing immigration policies are
implemented, the Port is committed to ensuring that our workforce, SEA workers, and our
communities have access to the most up-to-date and effective information to keep their families
and communities informed and safe.

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Regional partners, including the City of Seattle and King County, have adopted complementary
actions to protect immigrant communities and promote transparency. Through this Order, the Port
aligns its policies and practices with applicable law and regional efforts while continuing to respect
lawful federal authority in existing federal operations.

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The Port Commission hereby directs the Executive Director to implement the following:

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1. Restrictions on Use of Port Property

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Except as related to current, limited civil immigration detention facilities and support facilities
located on Port property, or to the extent the restrictions are in conflict with federal law, the use
of Port property will be restricted as follows:

TEXT OF THE ORDER

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Port property shall not be used for civil immigration detention facilities.

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Port property shall not be used for civil immigration enforcement support facilities, such
as for vehicle staging, equipment storage, operational briefings, or administrative
functions.

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New leases, permits, or agreements for the use of Port property shall not authorize civil
immigration detention facilities or support facilities. Existing agreements shall be reviewed,
where practicable, for consistency with this Order and applicable law.

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2. Know Your Rights Resources for Tenants and Workers

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The Port shall expand access to "Know Your Rights" training and informational
resources for Port tenants and their employees at aviation and maritime facilities.

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Training shall be conducted by qualified persons with expertise in immigration law and
civil rights.

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The Port shall collaborate with tenants on strategies to support worker awareness of
rights and appropriate workplace protocols.

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All materials developed pursuant to this Order shall be made available in English,
Spanish, and other commonly spoken languages, including but not limited to Vietnamese,
Somali, Korean, Amharic, Chinese, Japanese, American Sign Language, and Tagalog at
Port facilities, consistent with the Port's language access practices.

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3. Employee Response Protocols

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The Port Immigration Workgroup shall maintain a rapid confirmation protocol to assess
and verify reports of immigration enforcement activity at Port facilities in order to
maintain safety and security, and to reduce confusion by the public.

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The Executive Director shall ensure that relevant Port employees receive ongoing
guidance on appropriate interactions with federal immigration authorities consistent with
Port policy.

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4. Regional Coordination
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The Port shall coordinate community protection efforts with regional partners, including
the City of Seattle, King County, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance, to promote
consistency in public-facing information and appropriate strategies.

5. Implementation and Reporting

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The Executive Director shall develop any necessary procedures, guidance, or training
materials to implement this Order.

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The Executive Director shall provide periodic briefings to the Commission regarding
implementation progress and any material legal or operational developments affecting
this Order.

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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER
The Port of Seattle's economic vitality depends on the contributions of the diverse communities
that live and work throughout the region. Immigrant workers are essential to the continued success
of SEA, maritime terminals, and the businesses operating on Port property.
This Order builds upon the Commission's prior actions, including Order 2023-05, directing the
Executive to develop a portwide policy on language access and the strengthened Welcoming Port
Policy Directive, which affirmed the Port's commitment to equity, civil rights, and ensuring that
Port facilities remain welcoming and accessible to all.

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Washington State's Keep Washington Working Act (Chapter 440, Laws of 2019; RCW 10.93,
43.10, and 43.17) establishes clear limits on the use of state and local resources for federal civil
immigration enforcement and reflects the state's commitment to public safety, civil rights, and
community trust. This Order aligns the Port's practices with that law and provides additional
clarity regarding the use of Port property and facilities.

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Concerns regarding civil immigration enforcement have created fear and uncertainty among our
communities, including workers and travelers nationwide. Clear, transparent policies governing
the use of Port property help maintain public confidence, ensure consistency with state law, and
reinforce trust between government and the communities it serves.

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Across Washington State and the Puget Sound region, state and local governments have taken
steps to limit the use of public resources for civil immigration enforcement and to protect personal
information. This Order aligns the Port's practices with those regional efforts while preserving
lawful federal authority where required.

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Through this action, the Commission affirms that Port property will be stewarded responsibly,
consistent with state law, regional values, and the Port's mission. The Commission reinforces that
the Port will continue to operate as a welcoming international gateway-one that protects
economic stability, upholds state law, and supports the dignity and contributions of all who live,
work, and travel through our region.

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