Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

On February 12, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay signed Executive Order (EO) No. 2026-1, which enacts further protections, safety measures, and supports for the county’s immigrant and refugee communities. This order is in response to DHS’s spike in immigration operations in the region and listening sessions Executive Zahilay has had with community members, and it immediately goes into effect.

“Every resident who calls King County home, regardless of their citizenship status, deserves safety, dignity, and to live without fear or intimidation,” Executive Zahilay said. “Entire communities are living in fear that they may never see their loved ones again, a direct effect of federal overreach. This Executive Order is an immediate step we must take to protect the rights of King County’s residents, maintain community trust, and ensure local advocacy organizations have the resources they need to support impacted communities.”

The EO dedicates $2 million in emergency funds to support immigrant and refugee communities with rent, food, and legal aid. It also prevents federal officials from engaging in operations on county-owned facilities, including parking and vacant lots, buildings, or garages.

Furthermore, “The King County Sheriff’s Office [will] provide publicly available protocols for responding to 911 calls reporting immigration enforcement activity within the next 30 days. This includes guidelines for how to verify law enforcement personnel who are not displaying credentials and when to use body camera recordings,” according to the county.

Security, including new cameras, will be installed at the King County International Airport for observation and transparency regarding chartered deportation flights. All departments within King County will be required to review all policies and practices to make sure they are in lockstep with the Keep Washington Working Act, the Courts Open to All Act, and King County Code Section 2.15.

The EO also “creates a Welcoming County subcabinet to advise the Executive on actions to strengthen the County’s support and protection for residents,” and “continues King County’s advocacy to Washington’s Congressional delegates for no additional funding for ICE,” according to King County.

Executive Zahilay’s office stated that he will continue working on immigration and DHS-related issues as they arise, and that this is only a starting-point.

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