In June 2018, King County became aware that ICE was transporting immigrant detainees through King County International Airport via charter aircraft.
Since that time, King County officials from the Executive’s Office, airport, and King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office have reviewed operations and legal options to better understand ICE activities. At Executive Constantine’s direction, King County also reached out to advocacy groups to begin formulating a response.
Neither ICE nor its private contract air-carriers are obligated to file passenger manifests or flight schedules with King County. King County cannot board planes to inspect passengers or cargo, nor direct federal air traffic controllers to prevent any plane from landing.
On April 23, Executive Constantine signed an order to ensure future long-term leases with companies that operate hangars and other facilities at King County International Airport comply with local immigration and human rights ordinances. Specifically, ordinances that dictate that King County will not cooperate or facilitate immigration enforcement directives unless accompanied by a court order.
The Executive Order also updates King County International Airport’s “Minimum Standards” to provide reports and audits from businesses involved with transporting immigration detainees.
King County International Airport will, to the extent possible, install security cameras at public ramps and other key locations.
“Here in King County, we are a welcoming community that respects the rights of all people. My Executive Order seeks to make sure all those who do business with King County uphold the same values,” said Executive Constantine. “Our goal is to ban flights of immigrant detainees from our publicly owned airport, and I hope members of Congress shine a light on this practice and how it is currently funded.”
The above is an article provided by the office of King County Executive Dow Constantine. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its contents.
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