Summary 

Executive Girmay Zahilay announced an Executive Order to strengthen protections and services for King County’s immigrant and refugee communities, including new funding for emergency resources. 

Story 

Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay signed a new Executive Order to strengthen protections and increase emergency resources for King County’s immigrant and refugee communities impacted by the increase in federal immigration enforcement activities. 

In January, Executive Zahilay hosted four immigration roundtable convenings in North, Central, South, and East King County to hear from leaders in immigrant and refugee communities about challenges they were facing and resources needed.  

The Executive Order, the first in Executive Zahilay’s administration, was informed by the feedback shared at the convenings. 

“Every resident who calls King County home, regardless of their citizenship status, deserves safety, dignity, and to live without fear or intimidation,” said Executive Zahilay. “During my listening sessions, I’ve heard directly from immigrant and refugee neighbors who are afraid to leave their homes and go to school, work, medical appointments, and even report crimes to local law enforcement. 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 order, which takes effect immediately, includes the following actions: 

• Allocates $2 million in new emergency funding for immigrant and refugee communities to support rental, food, and legal aid assistance to respond to emerging needs. 

• Directs the King County Sheriff’s Office to 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. 

• Prohibits immigration authorities from staging or conducting civil immigration enforcement activities in non-public areas of County-owned buildings and properties including parking lots, vacant lots, buildings, or garages. 

• Directs all King County departments to support Know Your Rights resources and fully review all policies and procedures to ensure alignment with the Keep Washington Working Act, the Courts Open to All Act, and King County Code Section 2.15. 

• Requires the King County International Airport to upgrade security cameras and improve observation areas to maintain public access and increase transparency around chartered deportation flights. 

• Creates a Welcoming County subcabinet to advise the Executive on actions to strengthen the County’s support and protection for residents. 

• Continues King County's advocacy to Washington’s Congressional delegates for no additional funding for ICE.  

Upon taking office in November, Executive Zahilay directed County departments to not coordinate or assist with civil immigration enforcement, which is the sole responsibility of the federal government. 

Last month, King County signed onto an amicus brief in the Minnesota v. Noem case arguing that the Trump administration's deployment of masked, armed federal immigration enforcement officials their city is unconstitutional and unlawful. Additionally, Executive Zahilay signed a letter to Washington’s federal delegation calling for no additional funding to ICE. 

These initial actions to protect and support King County’s immigrant and refugee communities are a starting point. Executive Zahilay will continue to work with partners and community groups around the county to identify future opportunities to act on as well as close gaps to ensure that county government is doing all it can to support the communities we serve. 

What People Are Saying: 

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (District 8) 

“As the federal administration imposes chaos, violence, and fear across the country, in King County, we are working together proactively to create greater stability and safeguards for our own communities. I am grateful to be working in partnership with Executive Zahilay on strategies to respond to the surge in federal immigration enforcement, make resources available to our immigrant communities who are under attack, and create safer spaces within King County. As local elected officials, we are the last line of defense for the safety and well-being of our communities—and we will continue to work together, using every tool possible to strengthen our local response to federal overreach and ensure that King County remains a welcoming and safe community for all.” 

Councilmember Jorge Baron (District 4)  

“I appreciate Executive Zahilay’s work to advance these actions today. It is critical that our county continue to evaluate and implement measures that seek to protect our communities. We are continuing to look for ways to support our immigrant and refugee neighbors in the face of these unprecedented attacks from our federal government, and I am grateful for strong collaboration between community and elected leaders to inform our path forward together.” 

Councilmember Steffanie Fain (District 5) 

“South King County is home to many immigrant and refugee families from around the world, but our community is scared right now. This Executive Order strengthens coordination, prioritizes legal and housing support, and provides clear guidance. When our residents understand their legal rights and trust their local government to support them, our entire region is safer and stronger.” 

King County Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall 

“Our work is centered on delivering public safety. Today’s executive order provides direction and opportunity for us to clarify what our deputies can and cannot do when ICE operates in the communities we serve.”    

Maha Roy and Julie Kang, Co-chairs, King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission 

“Immigrants, refugees, and communities of color have built and sustained this democracy with labor, sacrifice, and belief in its promise. We can't negotiate for our dignity with fear,  nor tolerate a separation from our humanity. We are grateful to call King County our home, and to Executive Zahilay and the King County Council for their steadfast commitment and support. Today’s executive order is a positive step in that direction. KCIRC will continue to advocate for and support our immigrant and refugee neighbors, coworkers, schoolmates, friends, and families.” 

Kendee Yamaguchi, CEO, Asian Counseling and Referral Service 

“ACRS stands with Executive Zahilay for listening directly to community leaders and members and acting with urgency to protect immigrant and refugee families across King County. This Executive Order puts into action what communities have been calling for: practical support, legal protections, and coordinated county action so families can stay safe, stable, and connected to essential services.”   

Malou Chávez, Executive Director, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project 

"We are grateful to the King County Executive and County Council for their many efforts to improve protections for and truly welcome all communities, including immigrant communities. In these difficult times, funding legal aid and food and rental assistance, and ensuring alignment against federal overreach, is critical." 

Palmira Figueroa, Director of Communications, National Day Laborer Organizing Network 

“We are grateful to Executive Girmay Zahilay for taking bold and compassionate action to protect immigrant and refugee families across King County. This Executive Order sends a powerful message that our communities belong, deserve safety, and will have access to the resources they need in moments of fear and uncertainty. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network looks forward to working alongside the County to ensure these commitments are fully realized and that the most vulnerable among us are protected." 

Risho Sapano, Founder and Co-Director, Mother Africa 

“Mother Africa is grateful for Executive Zahilay’s commitment to strengthening protections for immigrant and refugee families. This Executive Order reflects our shared belief that dignity, safety, and culturally responsive support must guide public policy and practices. Families across King County deserve to feel protected and empowered.” 

Alejandra Tres, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Communidad Latina de Vashon 

“Over the past year, Comunidad engaged more than 1,000 Latino youth and families across King County. Their message was clear: families want a meaningful role in shaping policies that affect their safety, stability, and opportunity. Reducing uncertainty for mixed-status families is an upstream investment that lowers toxic stress, strengthens workforce participation, and improves long-term outcomes. We appreciate the County’s partnership and the Executive’s leadership in advancing immigration action as an investment in our region’s vitality, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration and building on the leadership already present in our communities.” 

Virginia Herrera-Páramo, Executive Director, Para Los Niños de Highline 

"At Para Los Niños de Highline, we see every day how critical stability and opportunity are for Latino American children and families to thrive. This immigration action sends a powerful message that our families are valued and supported. When parents feel secure, children can focus on learning, growing, and achieving their full potential. We are grateful for leadership that strengthens and uplifts our entire community.” 

Abdirahman Omar, Founder and Executive Director, African Center for Excellence 

“We appreciate the Executive’s leadership in reinforcing support for immigrant and refugee families and ensuring they have the resources necessary to succeed. We welcome the Executive Order to strengthen protections and services for King County’s immigrant and refugee communities, including the commitment of new emergency resources. We also believe that strong policies supporting environmental justice, transit, housing, and youth and senior priorities are vital to building a thriving and equitable community.”  

Aaron Garcia, Executive Director, White Center Community Development Association 

“The White Center Community Development Association is grateful for Executive Zahilay’s leadership and ready to stand with our communities to prevent harm and protect our neighbors.”