Seattle (March 3, 2025) – Statement from Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison.
“Disregarding established law, President Donald Trump has attempted to coerce local authorities and to commandeer local jurisdictions into carrying out the duties of the federal executive branch, while punishing those who dissent.
Because of this, I made the decision for Seattle to join San Francisco, Portland, and many other jurisdictions across the country in filing suit on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, against the Trump administration for its actions aimed at illegally harming jurisdictions that do not conduct federal immigration enforcement.
This is an issue of federal overreach into areas of local control. The City of Seattle has adopted laws and dedicated significant resources to make our communities safer and to provide services for our residents who need them. This includes our diverse, vibrant, and invaluable immigrant communities. Seattle’s municipal government will not be co-opted to perform the federal government’s responsibilities to enforce federal immigration laws.
It is not against the law to be a welcoming city. For more than 20 years, the City of Seattle, by ordinance, has directed its employees to not inquire about a person’s immigration status, absent a legal obligation to do so. It is well within our authority to direct our employees in this manner.
It is our choice to make when we determine how our police officers will function on behalf of our city. We have the right to direct how our officers engage with the public while performing police duties. They will not perform federal directives regarding immigration status. They will interview witnesses, collect evidence, care for victims, and build trust with the community.
We will not surrender our local autonomy afforded by the Constitution. When the rights of Seattle and its residents are threatened, I will use my full legal authority to defend the people of Seattle.” – Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney
Note: On Feb. 28, 2025, Santa Clara County, which initially filed the complaint on Feb. 7, 2025, sent a news release about the amended complaint. The release can be viewed on the website of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.
###