The Tukwila City Council voted 7-0 Monday evening to adopt a temporary ban on new correctional and detention centers in the city, a response to recent reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is looking to expand in the area.
The vote comes 10 days after reports surfaced detailing ICE's plan to seek more office space nationwide, including at Tukwila's Riverfront Technical Park at 2811 S. 102nd St. Technology publication WIRED first reported the plan.
The moratorium prevents the council from accepting rezones and other permits for detention facilities. However, it notes that lease agreements for private properties are not regulated by the City and therefore do not require the City’s approval. If tenant improvements (construction) is proposed, then the City’s review would be limited to construction-related items only, not the use of the space, provided the use is allowed in the specific location."
Council chambers were lively Monday in Tukwila as 25 people — out of about 50 people in the audience — took to the podium to speak out against new ICE facilities during public comment.
An ICE spokesperson did not confirm its plans in Tukwila, previously citing safety concerns. An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to another request for comment Monday.
"Tukwila City Council finds that a correctional institution or any detention or related facility may be incompatible with the Vision, Goals, and Policies of our Comprehensive Plan and that further analysis, review, community outreach, and direction from the City Council may be necessary," the moratorium states.
Council President Armen Papyan spoke about a personal experience when his father was detained by immigration authorities.
"So I understand this subject very well," he told the audience Monday. "I can connect with you. I understand it personally on many levels."
The Seattle City Council is considering a similar moratorium that would prevent new jails or detention centers within city limits. The Sea-Tac City Council passed a moratorium on new detention facilities last week.
Tukwila will hold another public hearing on the moratorium April 13.
The ban can stay in effect for six months, or up to one year "if a work plan is developed for related studies providing for such a longer period."
Just before Monday's meeting, Tukwila Police Chief Eric Drever gave an update on ICE operations in the city to the council's Community Services and Safety Committee.
Drever reported he and Mayor Thomas McLeod recently met with Department of Homeland Security officials, who told them immigration agents weren't targeting schools, places of worship or random people. He also said the department hasn't received any calls during an active ICE detainment, but police would respond if called to help mediate.
"We have a duty to intervene to protect the community," Drever said. "So if we see law enforcement, including federal agents, that are acting outside of their authority, we have an obligation to intervene."
McLeod later said ICE hadn't given the city any advance notice about the potential for expanding in Tukwila. He said he found out about the potential plans from the WIRED article, and he's skeptical about ICE's intentions.
"I don't think they have public safety at the front of their mission, the mayor said.
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