U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has won the legal right to continue using a Seattle airport for chartered deportation flights, marking a victory for President-elect Trump’s incoming administration. A federal appeals court delivered the decision.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a 2019 local executive order from King County, Washington, which sought to block deportations at King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field. The court determined the order unlawfully targeted ICE and disrupted federal operations. During Trump’s presidency, Boeing Field was used for deporting illegal immigrants, but the county attempted to halt these activities.
As a result of the ban, ICE had shifted its deportation flights to an airport in Yakima, Washington, significantly increasing transportation distances from the Northwest Detention Center. The relocation caused higher operational costs and raised security concerns, as noted in the court’s ruling.
Legal Battle with King County
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The U.S. government filed a lawsuit against King County in 2020, arguing the county violated a World War II-era contract guaranteeing federal access to the airport. The court agreed, with Judge Daniel A. Bress emphasizing that the case was not about forcing county officials to enforce federal immigration laws but about preventing discrimination against federal operations.
“The United States is asking King County, in its capacity as the owner of a public airport facility, to lift a discriminatory prohibition on private parties’ ability to engage in business with the federal government that supports federal immigration efforts,” Judge Bress wrote in the ruling.
Transparency Measures
Following the ruling, the airport implemented measures to ensure transparency. A conference room allows the public to view deportation flights via video feed, and the county maintains a publicly accessible log of these flights on its website.
Response to the Ruling
The ruling aligns with Trump’s promise to prioritize deportation efforts on his first day back in office. He solidified this pledge by appointing Tom Homan as his “border czar.” Homan expressed a tough stance, stating, “If you don’t want to work with us, then get the hell out all the way. We’re going to do it.”
Opposition from Blue State Officials
The decision has spurred resistance from Democratic officials in several states. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston declared his willingness to face arrest to oppose Trump’s deportation policies. Similarly, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker vowed to maintain the state’s sanctuary status, asserting, “If you come for my people, you come through me.”
In Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs criticized the plans as “misguided” and pledged not to participate in efforts that “threaten and terrorize our communities.” Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey echoed this sentiment, assuring that state police would “absolutely not” assist in the administration’s deportation operations.
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