Description
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to civil immigration enforcement; prohibiting civil immigration enforcement staging on all real property that is City owned and controlled; and adding a new Chapter 14.125 to the Seattle Municipal Code.
Summary
The proposed legislation, known as Council Bill 121164, seeks to prohibit civil immigration enforcement activities on all properties owned or controlled by the City of Seattle. This includes actions such as staging and deploying personnel or equipment for immigration enforcement. The legislation aims to protect vulnerable communities, especially undocumented immigrants, by fostering a safer environment in public spaces. The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is empowered to seek legal remedies against violations of this ordinance. It also establishes a process for identifying properties where signage will be posted to inform the public of these prohibitions, prioritizing locations that provide essential services. While the legislation is expected to be funded through existing budgets, costs associated with signage installation remain uncertain. Overall, this legislation underscores Seattle's commitment to being a "Welcoming City