Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance that prohibits federal agents from using city property for civil immigration enforcement activities.
The ordinance, enacted as Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 12.75, was passed on first and final reading at the council’s meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
The ordinance bars agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from using municipal property for immigration enforcement operations without express permission from the city or a judicial warrant.
Recent incidents in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, involving federal immigration enforcement operations that resulted in the death of two US citizens, have heightened concerns nationwide.
In response, Olympia’s new ordinance asserts the city’s authority as a property owner to set restrictions on the use of municipal properties.
The ordinance establishes that ICE, CBP or any other federal agency may not utilize city facilities, land, or buildings for civil immigration enforcement activities, including staging, surveillance or processing detainees, unless the agent possesses a judicial warrant or a properly issued court order. The policy does not affect the use of federal property, which the federal government maintains control.
“This gives us a mechanism to put this into our code and to enforce that code. While this does not guarantee such actions cannot occur, it gives us the ability to push back and, hopefully, prevail if it comes to that,” Mayor Dontae Payne said.
He added, “I will just be transparent about the fact that this does not mean that it cannot occur. But it does give us some ability to push back against it and hopefully prevail if we need to do that.”
According to a staff report, the new chapter reaffirms the city’s authority to regulate access to its property and establishes an explicit process for denying or granting such access to federal agencies involved in immigration enforcement.
In a separation action, the council also approved a resolution calling for an end to what the city described as violent tactics used by ICE and CBP in immigration enforcement.
The resolution called for an end to immigration deployments and surges by ICE and CBP in cities across the country, saying “such operations have caused fear, undermined public safety, and resulted in deaths and injuries.”
The council also urged Congress not to provide additional funding to the DHS without guardrails on how immigration enforcement is carried out.
It also called on Congress to make significant cuts to the $170 billion allocated for immigration enforcement under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and redirect those funds to priorities, such as housing and health care.
The resolution also asked Congress to consider restructuring DHS and rebuilding immigration agencies with stronger accountability measures.
The resolution outlined specific guardrails:
Council member Clark Gilman said Olympia’s resolution aligns with similar efforts by cities nationwide.
“It is to help bolster our members of Congress who are willing to call to put guardrails contingent on any additional funding for the DHS to stop the ridiculous, cruel, dangerous tactics and actions that immigration is taking right now,” Gilman said.
Payne added that the resolution will be shared with the congressional delegation “to let them know our position and that we are one of many cities that are lending our voices to this conversation.”
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JW
More performative action from the city council. We get it---you're brave, righteous, moral etc etc. Now that we've acknowledged you and your virtue, please go back to trying to dig the city out of the fiscal hole that has been dug through years of mismanagement by you and your predecessors.
Thursday, February 26 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Couldn’t disagree with this more. The city should not “be welcoming“ to criminals and illegals.
Thursday, February 26 Report this
Boatyarddog
GO. STUDY RADICAL LEFITIST. WERE GONNA FIGHT THIS ,HARD!!!! @JW
Thursday, February 26 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
As a LEGAL immigrant, took our family 6 years, it was worth it. Had to have a: sponsor, place to stay, job, and health insurance - the rules are the same today.
I have volunteered for 3 organizations that help fight Human Trafficking. The number one cause is illegal immigration. Modern day slavery, illegal immigration, crime, drugs and more.
When we have rescued children who were trafficked, they all wanted to go home. I support ICE and believe those that do not support those things. Why else? Shameful.
Thursday, February 26 Report this
hptrillium
Good for you City council.
Legal residents and those who are applying for asylum and citizenship are being detained for long periods of time in horrible conditions and also deported without due process. Having legal papers does not protect you from being detained.
Thursday, February 26 Report this
hptrillium
A quote by Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionists.
Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.
Thursday, February 26 Report this
OldKid
I'm astounded by the commenters who think ICE is great, our City Council is wrong on this issue. I suppose if you're lilly white, upper income, live out of town a bit, FU to the rest of the citizenry, who can't choose where they live and what they do for a living, due to race or having a hard life.
Be sure to keep up with TV coverage, if ICE does show up, so you can enjoy the misery of others, as it strikes..
Friday, February 27 Report this
Snevets
Bravo to the City Council for being proactive on this issue!
Friday, February 27 Report this
Southsoundguy
Liberalism self-termination is accelerating.
Friday, February 27 Report this
ddttwo2
@ JW couldn't agree with you more.
@The VirtualOne this is what we all put up with in our "Sanctuary City"
@Honestyandrealityguy Thank you for doing it the Legal way into our country, couldn't be more proud to know people still can become an honest citizen.
@Boatyarddog You go right ahead and fight there Bro!!!
@hptrillium None of this would be an issue "to come for you" if we didn't have the open border for 4 years...
Friday, February 27 Report this
wolfmanner
ICE should deport the City Council on election day.
Friday, February 27 Report this
CobraCommander
Honestyandrealityguy don't lie, you're not an immigrant.
You also lie about working with trafficking organizations and continue to support the most prolific child rapist in American history.
Release the Epstein Files
Saturday, February 28 Report this
CobraCommander
Southsoundguy, conservative pedo protection is accelerating
Saturday, February 28 Report this
MargaretDorothy
SUPER performative but gutless. See the Supremacy Clause in the US Constitution. Federal law is higher ranking than state or city.
Sunday, March 1 Report this