State and local leaders in Washington are watching warily as the federal government ramps up immigration enforcement and has responded to protests by deploying the military.
Amped-up immigration raids of workplaces in Southern California have been met with nearly a week of protests. President Donald Trump responded to those protests by sending in the National Guard and the Marines, against the wishes of elected leaders there.
A daylong protest at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle on Tuesday resulted in two arrests. Several demonstrations are planned for the Seattle area and around the country this weekend, organized long before the Los Angeles protests.
An NBC News report Tuesday said Immigration and Customs Enforcement was preparing to send the types of militarized tactical teams it has used in Los Angeles into five other cities, all run by Democratic leaders. Seattle was one of the five cities the network listed.
But local political leaders said Wednesday they knew little more than what they'd read online about ICE's potential plans to ratchet up enforcement. They urged protesters to remain peaceful as they condemned Trump for increasing tensions.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said his office has had no communication with the federal government about possible immigration raids or special response teams present in the city.
"We read the tweets, we read the social media, we plan, but we've had no direct communications," he said.
"It would be nice if we had coordination, or at least a sort of a heads-up, if you will, from the federal government," Harrell said. "But that does not seem to be the MO that we're seeing coming out of the Trump administration."
State law in Washington bars local law enforcement agencies from assisting federal immigration enforcement.
The law, passed in 2019, made Washington a so-called "sanctuary state," though that term is unofficial and has no set definition.
Local law enforcement cannot arrest or detain someone solely to determine their immigration status, even to comply with a request from federal immigration agents, unless there is some other criminal issue at hand. Local law enforcement cannot inquire about a person's immigration status, with very few exceptions.
"We believe, through policy and law, that we have a right not to cooperate with ICE, to protect our vulnerable communities," Harrell said. "So we know who we are. Our job again is to make sure everyone is safe."
"We're asking protesters to be loud and be organized and be strong," Harrell said. "And we stand with you on fighting what we're seeing coming out of the Trump administration, but don't break the law. Don't throw things at people."
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declined an interview request but issued a joint statement — along with Harrell, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and the King and Pierce county executives — calling Trump's use of the National Guard in California illegal.
"The right to protest is core to our nation. It is critical that Washingtonians do so peacefully. Violence will not be tolerated. Those who break the law can expect to be held accountable," the five officials said. "At the same time, we expect that local law enforcement will manage all protests with professionalism, and without interference from the federal government."
Ferguson's office said he has been in touch with the National Guard, the attorney general's office, the State Patrol and the California governor's office and that he has canceled his weekend plans to monitor events.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, who has sued the Trump administration 21 times since the president's second term began, said he is monitoring the situation, waiting to see what enforcement activity from the federal government looks like. He said he wants to make sure he is protecting state sovereignty and the state's ability to manage issues on a state and local level.
Brown also acknowledged that there likely will be protests in the coming days, and said while he respects people's rights to protest, he encourages them not to "play into what the president wants," such as committing illegal actions.
The federal government has the legal authority to enforce immigration laws, but Brown said he hopes that it would be done in a way "consistent with best practices and public safety." He said it is evident the intent is the opposite.
Brown added he believes what is happening in California is a violation of state sovereignty and federal law. California has sued the federal government, arguing that Trump's deployment of the California National Guard constitutes an "illegal and unnecessary takeover."
Washington, Brown said, could act similarly if the situation arose, "but it just really depends on how the administration uses their authority."
"I think it's incumbent upon the rest of us to lead in the way that is consistent with the American tradition of peaceful protest and bringing people together and hope that people in Washington follow that practice," Brown said.
Brown's office said it has not been in contact with the administration regarding the deployment of additional immigration officials.
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, said she hadn't heard any specifics about expanded ICE enforcement locally, but "if they can do this in L.A., they can do this in any city."
Jayapal called the Trump administration's actions unprecedented, saying the National Guard hadn't been federalized against the wishes of local officials since the 1960s, when it was used to enforce school integration in the South.
"It's about trying to provoke confrontations by drawing in the military against its own citizens," she said. "It really is weaponizing the military to attack our fundamental freedoms."
She said she was very concerned about possible "escalations" this weekend and urged protesters to remain peaceful.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said she had no information, either, about possible raids in Seattle.
"Sending ICE tactical units to Seattle is only meant to intimidate our residents and stir up chaos to give Trump an excuse to push the boundaries of his legal authorities," Murray said in a prepared statement. "Let's be clear: the President who pardoned violent insurrectionists doesn't give a damn about public safety — if he did he'd be focused on violent criminals and gang members, not law abiding cooks and construction workers."
Seattle Times political reporter Jim Brunner contributed to this report.
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