Seattle is taking a bold stand for human dignity and community safety. Today, March 10, 2026, the Seattle City Council is scheduled to vote on emergency legislation introduced by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) that would impose a one-year moratorium on new or expanded immigration detention centers within city limits.
Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the driving force behind this protective measure, has made it clear: Seattle will not become a site for the federal government’s expanded deportation machine. “We cannot make it clear enough, the human rights violations at facilities like the Northwest Detention Center are unacceptable,” Rinck stated. “We refuse to stand by while the federal government continues their inhumane practices. This is a clear message to the federal government: We want ICE out of our communities.”
The urgency is real. Late last year, the federal government posted a solicitation for contractors to operate a massive new detention center in the Seattle area, potentially holding up to 1,635 people. With billions in new funding pouring into immigration enforcement, the risk of unchecked expansion is immediate. Rinck’s bill uses the city’s land use authority to pause permits for any new or expanded detention facilities. This gives Seattle time to develop permanent protections while sending a powerful regional signal.
Seattle City Council chamber, where the vote on this life saving moratorium will take place.
This moratorium is not just bureaucratic paperwork. It is a direct defense of Seattle’s values as a welcoming city. Expanded ICE detention centers mean more family separations, more fear in immigrant neighborhoods, and more opportunities for the very surveillance and data driven errors that have already led to wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens and long term residents. Existing facilities like the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma have faced repeated lawsuits and reports of medical neglect, inadequate care, and human rights abuses. Seattle refuses to add to that suffering.
The Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, an existing facility whose conditions highlight why Seattle must act now to prevent more like it.
Rinck’s leadership has sparked a powerful regional movement. SeaTac and Tukwila have already passed their own detention moratoriums. King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s companion legislation passed just days ago, blocking new facilities in unincorporated areas. Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa has prohibited detention use on Port property. Together these leaders are creating a firewall against federal overreach.
How You Can Help Ensure These Facilities Are Never Built
The fight is not over even after today’s vote. Permanent protections will require ongoing pressure. Here is exactly what you can do right now:
Contact Seattle City Councilmembers TODAY (vote at 2 p.m.). Call or email urging a YES vote on Council Bill 121174. Tell them: “Support Rinck’s moratorium. Seattle will not host ICE expansion.” • Council President Joy Hollingsworth: joy.hollingsworth@seattle.gov • Full list and phone numbers: seattle.gov/council Quick script available on Rinck’s office social media.
Show up or watch the meeting. Public comment may still be accepted. Stream live on Seattle Channel. Presence matters.
Join or donate to frontline organizations:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (nwirp.org), legal defense and advocacy
ACLU of Washington (aclu-wa.org)
OneAmerica (weareoneamerica.org)
Amplify and mobilize. Share Councilmember Rinck’s updates (@councilmember.amr on Instagram and X). Attend future rallies at the Northwest Detention Center or City Hall. Hashtags: #PassTheMoratorium #ICEOutOfSeattle #NoNewDetentionCenters
Long term action. Support candidates and ballot measures that strengthen sanctuary policies. Talk to your neighbors. Fear in immigrant communities hurts all of us.
Seattle stands with its immigrant neighbors, protesters and advocates demanding justice and an end to family separation.
This moratorium is a model of courageous local resistance. By supporting Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s Emergency Detention Moratorium, Seattle is choosing compassion over cruelty, community over cages, and justice over fear. The vote is today. Make your voice count. Contact your councilmembers now, stand with Rinck, and help keep Seattle a city that welcomes everyone.
Together we can ensure these facilities are never built.
