Despite threats of reduced federal funding, a Seattle Police Department policy barring officers from cooperating with federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants will not change, Chief Kathleen O’Toole said Tuesday.
“As affirmed by Mayor Murray, the city of Seattle remains committed to values of equality, inclusion and openness,” O’Toole said. “So does the Seattle Police Department.”
O’Toole’s announcement follows earlier statements from Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine signaling that they would defy President-elect Donald Trump on immigration policy, even if it results in cuts in federal funding.
Since his election, Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on so-called “sanctuary cities” that employ a range of policies to protect undocumented immigrants. In recent interviews, Trump pledged to block federal taxpayer dollars from going to any city that does not comply.
The Seattle policy stems from a 2003 ordinance barring officers from asking about a person’s immigration status without reasonable suspicion that the person has been previously deported or has committed a felony, unless required to by law or a court order.
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