This morning, Mayor Durkan, City Attorney Holmes, King County Council President Joe McDermott, and City Council member Lorena Gonzalez held a joint press conference to double-down on their support for the city’s “welcoming city” policies, to release a letter sent to the DOJ on the topic, and to announce funding for programs to support Seattle’s immigrant community and DACA recipients.
Continue reading Durkan, Holmes, Gonzalez stand up to “bully” Trump over Sanctuary City policies
It was a full day for the Council, and beyond passing the budget the Council members did several other things as well.
A lot of territory got covered this morning, so let’s jump in.
In February of 1898, seven hundred acres on Magnolia Bluff were given to the federal government. Today, almost all of that land is back in local hands. Almost — the last bit has been the source of plans, lawsuits and headaches for ten years.
This afternoon, Mayor Ed Murray and City Attorney Pete Holmes announced that they have filed a lawsuit on behalf of the city against President Trump, Attorney General Sessions, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kelly over Trump’s January 25th executive order directing a crackdown on so-called “sanctuary cities.”
Continue reading Seattle sues Trump Administration over “sanctuary city” executive order
A few items of note happened at the Council Briefing and Full Council meetings today.
Last month the Secretary of Homeland Security issued two memos on immigration enforcement One of the memos directed Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to start issuing regular reports on state, county and local jurisdictions who refuse to give full support to ICE’s enforcement of immigration laws. The first report came out today.
Continue reading ICE starts publishing info on jurisdictions that don’t support it
This morning the Council held a brief discussion, led by the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, on what the Trump administration’s “skinny budget” proposal means for Seattle.
Continue reading Council discusses local effects of Trump’s budget proposal
This afternoon the City Council ratified an ordinance that sets up the city to cut its ties to Wells Fargo Bank.
Continue reading Council officially cuts ties with Wells Fargo
This afternoon the City Council unanimously passed a resolution that affirms Seattle’s status as a welcoming city for all, regardless of immigration status.
This isn’t just a feel-good resolution; it lists a number of very specific actions and policies for the city.