A federal appeals court has ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can continue using King County International Airport (Boeing Field) in Seattle for deportation flights, reversing a 2019 executive order that had barred such activity. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that King County violated a longstanding federal contract by restricting ICE’s use of the airport, thereby hindering federal immigration enforcement. The order had previously forced ICE to reroute deportation operations to a more distant airport in Yakima, leading to higher costs and security concerns. Judge Daniel A. Bress clarified that the ruling does not compel local officials to enforce federal immigration laws but simply requires them not to discriminate against federal operations at a public facility.
The decision is seen as a win for the incoming Trump administration, which has vowed to resume aggressive deportation efforts. President-elect Trump, who initially used Boeing Field for deportations in 2019, has appointed former ICE Director Tom Homan as his “border czar,” reinforcing his administration’s intent. Homan has promised uncompromising action, stating, “If you don’t want to work with us, then get the hell out all the way.” However, Democratic leaders in several states have vowed to resist Trump’s immigration plans. Governors from Arizona, Massachusetts, and Illinois, along with city officials like Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, have openly pledged to defy federal deportation efforts. They argue that such policies are harmful and unjust, setting the stage for renewed legal and political battles over immigration enforcement in the U.S.
