In a display of defiance, Seattle’s newly inaugurated Democratic Socialist Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled a controversial plan on Thursday January 29, 2026, aimed at thwarting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Cloaked as “protective measures” for immigrant communities, the plan includes an executive order prohibiting ICE from using city-owned properties for enforcement activities, while the “Stand Together Seattle” initiative encourages private property owners to do the same. Wilson also directed the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to effectively doxx agents’ identities and investigate actions in “close cooperation” with community organizations—ensuring the timely and accurate dissemination of intelligence on ICE activities.
🚨💬 INSURRECTIONISTS ADMIT TO EVERYTHING:
They want their people to die to create propaganda.
In this document distributed on Signal, Minnesota activists lay out that their goal is to impede ICE and CREATE “flashpoints”
They describe “flashpoints” as moments of chaos where… pic.twitter.com/5ST5FLjIqI
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) January 30, 2026
Fostering potential “flashpoints,” Wilson also announced that $4 million in publicly funded grants will go to organizations mobilizing against ICE. According to the plan, the grants will fund “community-led organizations,” operating a “rapid response” hotline for shared intelligence on federal activities and providing legal defense for criminal aliens.
These “community-led organizations,” likely include partners such as the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
Critics argue that such use of public funds, funneled into activist entities, essentially acts as government subsidized flashpoints, and illegal activities. The most damning pushback, however, has come from law enforcement organizations directly.
Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan denounced the plan as “ludicrous” and “toothless virtue signaling,” warning it pits local police against federal partners, turning officers into political pawns in a hazardous game.
"Toothless virtue signaling rhetoric like this has already cost two people their lives. The concept of pitting two armed law enforcement agencies against each other is ludicrous, and will not happen. I will not allow SPOG members to be used as political pawns."
– Mike Solan,… pic.twitter.com/EuwZxVI1uw— Seattle Police Officers Guild (@SPOG1952) January 30, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) echoed this, labeling the initiative “legally illiterate” in a January 30 statement emailed to local news outlets—emphasizing that enforcing immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under the Supremacy Clause.
“This is legally illiterate. Enforcing federal immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause,” the statement read. “While this Seattle sanctuary politician continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto the streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make Seattle safe again.”
While backlash to the plan has been immediate, the initial outrage might just be a harbinger of things to come.
With prior warnings from President Trump, Thursday’s announcement potentially threatens Seattle’s role in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup – a global event projected to inject nearly $1 billion into the city’s economy – while Seattle’s ideological priorities threaten safety writ-large.
Set to begin on June 26, the Cup’s third and final matchday in Group G has been dubbed the “Pride Match,” as the game simultaneously kicks off Pride weekend in the Emerald City.
Creating another potential flashpoint, the “Pride Match” is set between Egypt and Iran – two countries where homosexuality is penalized by imprisonment and death – in a stadium and city environment promoting LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion. The outraged football federations of Egypt and Iran have already formally protested to FIFA, rejecting any association with LGBTQ+ support activities during the match and calling for them to be canceled, citing conflicts with their cultural, religious, and social values. Yet, members of Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee doubled down, stating that the city’s culture must be respected.
As fans from both nations, along with local LGBTQ+ activists and marchers are set to flood the streets of Seattle this summer, Wilson’s anti-ICE plan also calls for a review of city contracts with tech vendors that could limit policing tools for fear of “data exposure.”
“All departments are directed to conduct a privacy review aimed at limiting potential data exposure, including by reviewing data sharing agreements in vendor contracts.”
For example, Axon Enterprise is one such vendor that’s been under City Council scrutiny for privacy impacts due to the company’s requirement to comply with federal investigations. The tech vendor’s contract for police dash cameras, body cameras, and generative A.I. surveillance tools help officers handle sizable crowds by quickly identifying threats in real-time—allegedly creating a back door for federal surveillance.
President Trump – set to co-present the FIFA World Cup trophy on July 19 – has frequently cited heightened security concerns amid Seattle’s lack of cooperation with federal agencies. While FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has promised attendees “100% safety,” an official response has yet to be released regarding Wilson’s announced plan.
