SEATTLE (KOMO) — Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has announced a series of initial steps aimed at protecting city residents amid heightened federal immigration enforcement activity, including barring immigration enforcement from utilizing city-controlled property and using city police to verify the identification of federal agents.

City officials said there is no current indication of a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection activity in Seattle, but noted an increase over the past year and said preparation is necessary given uncertainty around federal actions.

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“Whoever you are, and wherever you come from: if Seattle is your home, then this is your city,” Wilson said in a statement. She said the city would move quickly to organize and “keep people safe,” citing immediate actions to limit the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement, update police protocols, and support community partners.

Under the plan, the mayor will issue an executive order prohibiting civil federal immigration authorities from using city-owned and city-controlled properties - including parks, parking lots, plazas, vacant lots, garages, and Seattle Center - for civil immigration enforcement. Wilson also urged other local government entities, including the Seattle School District and Seattle Municipal Court, to adopt similar restrictions.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said officers will continue to focus on public safety regardless of immigration status and comply with laws barring participation in immigration enforcement. While the department has no authority over federal agents or policies, Barnes said officers will document incidents if notified. “The Seattle Police Department’s primary responsibility is the life safety of all people,” he said.

As part of the changes, the mayor directed the Seattle Police Department to investigate, verify, and document reports of immigration enforcement activity. If officers are sent to a location where apparent enforcement is underway, they will document the activity with in-car and body-worn video, verify the identification of apparent federal agents, and secure scenes of potentially unlawful acts to gather evidence for prosecutors, according to the announcement.

City departments will also provide updated training to employees on how to report and respond to enforcement activity and conduct privacy reviews to limit potential data exposure, including reviewing data-sharing agreements in vendor contracts. The city plans to post signage designating private spaces on city properties and increase coordination with local, regional, and state partners.

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In addition, the city will mandate closer cooperation between departments and community organizations, sharing information through a hotline operated by a community-led partner to connect residents with resources and support. Wilson also announced the launch of the Stand Together Seattle Initiative, inviting private property owners to post notices stating that federal agents may not access their property without a warrant.

The mayor said the city will quickly invest $4 million, previously appropriated by the City Council, in organizations providing immigrant legal defense, community support and long-term services.

The full five-step plan, as defined in Wilson's words, is:

• Require the Seattle Police Department to investigate, verify, and document any reports of immigration enforcement activity. If dispatched to a location where apparent immigration enforcement activity is underway, officers will document the activity with in-car and body-worn video, validate the status of apparent federal law enforcement agents through official identification, and secure scenes of potentially unlawful acts to gather evidence for transmittal to prosecutors.

• Mandate close cooperation between city departments and community organizations to ensure everyone has the latest and most accurate information about federal enforcement activities. In particular, this information will be shared with a hotline operated by our trusted community-led organizational partner where concerned community members can be connected to support, resources, and information in response to immigration enforcement activity.

• Issue an executive order immediately prohibiting civil federal immigration authorities from using property that is both City-owned and City controlled for civil immigration enforcement activities, including City parks, parking lots, plazas, vacant lots, storage facilities, garages, and the Seattle Center. The mayor urges the Seattle School District, Seattle Municipal Court, and other local government bodies to take similar action.

• Establish the Stand Together Seattle Initiative, which invites private property owners to post notice clarifying that their property may not be accessed by federal agents without a warrant.

• Quickly invest $4 million in city funds to organizations engaged in immigrant legal defense, community support, and the long-term needs of immigrant communities. This money was appropriated by City Council late last year, and we are working to quickly invest the funds.

City Attorney Erika Evans said Seattle is preparing in response to recent events in Minnesota, accusing the federal government of using “reckless escalations and violent tactics” in other cities. Public Safety Chair Bob Kettle praised the proposed actions and said the City Council would continue efforts to support public safety through local law enforcement.

Wilson said the measures are intended to reduce fear and economic disruption in immigrant communities and called on residents and institutions to practice solidarity to keep the city safe.