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According to a federal appeals court decision in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a Seattle airport can continue to be used for chartered deportation flights, and the incoming Trump administration, this ruling represents a significant win.
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The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a 2019 local executive order that sought to block President Trump’s immigration policies. The court determined that King County, Washington, violated its contract by prohibiting deportation operations at King County International Airport, commonly known as Boeing Field.
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The court found the order to be illegal, stating it unfairly targeted ICE and disrupted federal processes. During Trump’s presidency in 2019, Boeing Field was used for deportation flights, but the county attempted to halt the operations. As a result, ICE was forced to use an airport in Yakima, Washington, which is significantly farther from its Northwest detention center.
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The ruling noted that the relocation increased operational costs due to the greater distance from ICE detention facilities to the airport. It also led to increased security concerns, and In 2020, the U.S. government sued King County, arguing that the county violated a World War II-era contract granting the federal government the right to use the airport and discriminated against ICE.
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Judge Daniel A. Bress of the 9th Circuit affirmed the decision allowing ICE to conduct deportation flights out of the Seattle airport on Friday, November 30. Bress stressed in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that King County officials are not being forced to enforce federal immigration rules in this matter. Rather, the decision states that the United States is asking King County, as the public airport operator, to lift a discriminatory prohibition that prohibits private companies from working with the federal government to provide
Fox News reports that the ruling also calls for increased openness regarding deportation flights. The county keeps an online record of deportation flights, and the airport now has a conference room where the public may watch them via a video link.
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The decision provides momentum for the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged to restart large-scale deportations upon taking office. President-elect Trump’s plans have been reinforced by his selection of Tom Homan as the administration’s “border czar.” Homan recently made a strong statement, emphasizing a no-nonsense approach to addressing cooperation issues. He asserted that those unwilling to collaborate should fully step aside, declaring that the work would move forward regardless of their involvement.
Trump’s renewed immigration policies have already sparked opposition from officials in Democratic-leaning states and cities. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston stated he is prepared to face jail time to resist Trump’s deportation plans.
Governors in states such as Arizona, Massachusetts, and Illinois have also vowed to resist federal deportation efforts, with some pledging active obstruction. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, previously emphasized his commitment to protecting his constituents, asserting that any attempt to target them would be met with his full resistance.
Similarly, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs criticized the plans as “misguided” and affirmed her state’s refusal to cooperate. Governor Hobbs firmly stated her stance, emphasizing that as the leader of Arizona, she would not tolerate any efforts stemming from misguided policies that harm, threaten, or terrorize communities. She asserted that Arizona would not participate in such actions.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also stated unequivocally that state law enforcement “absolutely will not” assist in carrying out Trump’s deportation efforts.
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