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Zahilay signs first executive order, boosting immigrant protections and deportation flight transparency
- On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, Girmay Zahilay signed an order banning ICE from non-public King County properties, effective immediately and his first since November.
- Community leaders told Zahilay during four January roundtables they feared leaving home for school, work, medical care, or reporting crimes, shaping the order.
- $2 million in emergency funding will be allocated to support immigrant families, the King County Sheriff's Office must publish protocols within 30 days for 911 immigration calls, and King County International Airport will upgrade cameras to increase deportation flight transparency.
- King County Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall said the order directs deputies and focuses on public safety, while the Seattle Police Officers Guild opposed it and Teresa Mosqueda introduced legislation to codify some changes.
- As other cities act, King County's move positions it within a regional trend, joining Chicago and St. Paul while Zahilay set a March 16 deadline for sheriff guidance amid the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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28 Articles
28 Articles
The Center Square+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Zahilay bans federal immigration authorities from all nonpublic King County-owned spaces
(The Center Square) – King County Executive Director Girmay Zahilay on Thursday signed an executive order prohibiting federal immigration authorities from accessing non-public, county-owned or controlled spaces. The executive order
·United States
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Zahilay's first executive order bars ICE from King County-owned properties
In his first executive order since becoming King County executive in November, Girmay Zahilay has barred immigration authorities from conducting enforcement activities in non-public areas of county-owned buildings and properties.
·Seattle, United States
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New executive order limits ICE activity at King County properties
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay signed an executive order Thursday aimed at strengthening protections and expanding emergency resources for immigrant and refugee communities affected by increased federal immigration enforcement.
·Seattle, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center
15%
C 80%
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