Seattle's Welcoming City Ordinance SMC 4.18, paired with Washington's Keep Washington Working and Courts Open to All Acts, bars city employees from inquiring about immigration status or assisting federal civil immigration enforcement absent a judicial warrant.
Adopted in 2003 and strengthened in 2017 and 2018, SMC 4.18 prohibits city departments — including Seattle Police — from collecting immigration status, sharing information with ICE, holding people on civil detainers, or using city resources for civil immigration enforcement. Schools, courts, and shelters are designated safe spaces. Statewide, the Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.160) extends similar limits, while the Courts Open to All Act bars civil arrests at courthouses. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) coordinates legal defense funds and Know Your Rights programming.
City staff who breach SMC 4.18 face discipline, training, and policy review by OIRA and the Office of Civil Rights. Information improperly shared with ICE can be enjoined and result in suppression motions and civil claims.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Seattle, WA
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See how Seattle's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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