Zahilay's first executive order bars ICE from King County-owned properties

February 12, 2026 / 3:15 pm

caption: Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay laughs while speaking to an audience before being sworn in as King County Executive on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at the New Holly Gathering Hall.

In his first executive order since becoming King County executive in November, Girmay Zahilay has barred immigration authorities from conducting enforcement activities in non-public areas of county-owned buildings and properties.

The order, which Zahilay signed Thursday and goes into effect immediately, includes a number of other actions meant to strengthen protections and services for immigrant and refugee communities in the county.

For example, the order devotes $2 million in new emergency funding for rental, food, and legal aid assistance for immigrant and refugee communities. It also instructs the King County Sheriff's Office to provide "publicly available protocols" within the next 30 days for how it responds to 911 calls that report immigration enforcement activity and orders all county departments to "support" Know Your Rights resources.

In addition, it commands the King County International Airport to upgrade security cameras and improve observation areas to boost transparency around deportation flights, launches a "Welcoming County" subcabinet, and continues the county's advocacy to Washington's congressional delegation for no additional funding for ICE. (Zahilay has already instructed county departments not to coordinate or assist with civil immigration enforcement in November.)

In a statement Thursday, Zahilay said the executive order was based on feedback he received during listening sessions from immigrant and refugee residents in the county who are "afraid to leave their homes and go to school, work, medical appointments, and even report crimes to local law enforcement."

"Every resident who calls King County home, regardless of their citizenship status, deserves safety, dignity, and to live without fear and intimidation," Zahilay said. "This Executive Order is an immediate step we must take to protect the rights of King County's residents, maintain community trust, and ensure local advocacy organizations have the resources they need to support impacted communities."

Zahilay called the order a "starting point," and pledged to continue to do more "to ensure that county government is doing all it can to support the communities we serve."