The Seattle Police Officers Guild has publicly pushed back against a new policy announced by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson that would require city police to document and track activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The proposal is part of a broader set of measures intended to limit federal immigration enforcement activity on city property and increase oversight of interactions involving federal agents.
Mayor Wilson said the changes are aimed at responding to concerns about federal immigration enforcement practices, which she described as unpredictable and disruptive. Under the plan, Seattle police would be required to investigate and log reports of ICE operations, even though immigration enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction rather than local law enforcement authority.
The president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, Mike Solan, rejected the proposal, arguing that it would divert officers from their primary responsibility of public safety. In a statement, Solan said the union would not support policies that place officers in the middle of political disputes or create unnecessary tension between local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Solan emphasized that cooperation and clear boundaries between agencies are essential to maintaining safety for both officers and the public. He warned that policies encouraging conflict between armed law enforcement entities could increase risks rather than improve accountability or community trust.
The situation mirrors similar debates in other cities, including Los Angeles, where police leadership has declined to enforce state-level restrictions on federal agents. In those cases, law enforcement officials have cited safety concerns and questioned whether such directives are practical or effective. The broader discussion highlights ongoing tensions between local governments and federal authorities over immigration policy and the role of municipal police departments.