Zahilay Signs Bold Executive Order for Immigrant Protections

King County’s new executive order matters most if you fly through Seattle and you’re worried about immigration enforcement. It doesn’t change federal law. But it can change what happens inside county buildings and at King County International Airport (Boeing Field). If you want the most predictable, full‑service commercial experience, choose Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). If you want clearer public visibility into deportation flight activity at a county facility, watch what changes at Boeing Field (BFI) over the next month.

Below is the traveler’s guide to what’s in King County Executive Order 2026‑1, signed today by King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, and a practical comparison of what you can expect at BFI vs SEA.

Quick comparison: Boeing Field (BFI) vs Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) for most travelers

1) Overview: what King County Executive Order 2026‑1 does (and doesn’t)

Today, February 12, 2026, Zahilay signed his first executive order, No. 2026‑1. The stated goals are twofold.

First, it aims to strengthen county-level protections for immigrant and refugee communities. That includes how county staff respond to civil immigration enforcement activity.

Second, it orders specific transparency steps at King County International Airport (Boeing Field). Those steps are tied to visibility around deportation flights.

Here’s the part travelers often miss. A county executive order is powerful inside county operations. It can direct departments, set procedures, and prioritize funding. It can also tighten rules for county-controlled spaces.

It cannot rewrite federal immigration law. It cannot stop federal agencies from enforcing federal authority. And it can’t change your visa requirements, your inspection at the border, or your need for valid travel documents.

For travelers, the real-world impact is about two things:

• How safe and predictable it feels to interact with county services. That includes 911 and county facilities.
• How transparent a county airport facility is when controversial activity occurs there.

2) Key provisions, explained in plain English (and what changes you’ll actually notice)

This order has several operational pieces. Some are immediate. Others will roll out over weeks.

Emergency community support funding (what it’s for, and how it usually gets delivered)

The order allocates $2 million in emergency support. The stated focus areas are:

• Rental assistance
• Food access
• Legal services

In practice, counties typically move this kind of support through human services channels. That often means county departments partnering with nonprofit providers. It can also mean contracts with community organizations. For immigrant travelers, legal services funding is the most relevant piece. It can increase access to consultations and representation.

This won’t change what happens at passport control. But it can affect whether a family can get local help quickly.

Limits on civil immigration enforcement in non-public county spaces

The order restricts civil immigration enforcement activity in non-public areas of county-owned or county-controlled buildings. Think staff-only areas, back offices, or controlled-access spaces.

There’s an important carve-out. If federal law requires access, the county can’t block it.

For travelers, this is mainly about county buildings. It can matter if you’re:

• Picking up records
• Attending a county appointment
• Using services in a county facility

It’s also a signal to county employees. The county is setting an expectation about when and how it cooperates with civil immigration enforcement.

A published 911 protocol, with a short deadline

The order directs the King County Sheriff’s Office to develop and publicly release protocols for 911 calls that report immigration enforcement activity. The deadline in the order is 30 days.

Why does this matter if you’re a traveler?

• If a family member witnesses activity near home, they need confidence that calling 911 won’t create more risk.
• Clear protocols reduce confusion when panic spreads on social media.
• Public guidance also helps people tell the difference between local deputies and federal agents.

A written protocol doesn’t remove fear overnight. But it can create predictable steps.

Boeing Field “transparency” upgrades: cameras and observation improvements

The order directs King County International Airport to upgrade security cameras and improve observation areas.

In traveler terms, this is about visibility and recordkeeping. It can mean better camera coverage. It can also mean designated viewing areas that make it easier for the public, media, or oversight groups to observe activity.

Just as important is what “transparency” does not mean. It doesn’t imply the county controls federal flight decisions. It also doesn’t mean you can walk into secure areas. Airport security rules still apply.

Still, the practical effect is real. Better observation and cameras can make it easier to answer basic questions later. What happened, when, and where?

Welcoming County Subcabinet: the coordination engine

The order creates a Welcoming County Subcabinet. This is the part that often decides whether executive orders become daily practice.

Its job is coordination. It can track implementation across departments, identify gaps, and propose administrative reforms. That matters because county agencies don’t always move in sync.

For travelers, this could shape things like:

• Consistent signage and public info
• Staff training and “what to do if…” playbooks
• How quickly departments publish policies and updates

Countywide alignment, plus separate advocacy actions

The order expects county departments to align with Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act. It also calls for support of “Know Your Rights” resources. And it directs reduced coordination with civil immigration enforcement.

Separately, the order continues advocacy actions. That includes a congressional letter opposing more ICE funding. It also includes an amicus brief in litigation challenging federal tactics.

Those advocacy moves won’t change your airport screening tomorrow. But they show the county’s posture.

3) Context: why this order happened now, and how it fits Washington law

This order didn’t appear in a vacuum. Zahilay’s team held roundtables across North, Central, South, and East King County in January 2026.

Meetings like these usually surface the same issues:

• Fear of reporting crimes
• Fear of seeking medical help or schooling
• Confusion about what local government will do
• Worry that any official interaction could lead to immigration consequences

The order also builds on earlier county action. King County passed a “Welcoming King County” motion in mid‑2025. That matters for implementation because it suggests continuity. Agencies have already been hearing the message.

The other key point is federal reality. Washington state law can limit certain kinds of local cooperation. But federal agencies still operate under federal authority.

That’s why this order reads like a structure-and-process play. It aims to control county behavior, not federal decisions.

4) Reactions: what supporters say is the value for residents and travelers

Zahilay framed the order around safety and dignity. He highlighted that many residents fear leaving home, going to work, or even reporting crimes.

King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda framed it as proactive local safeguards amid chaotic federal actions. Councilmember Jorge Barón emphasized community protection. Councilmember Steffanie Fain highlighted support for South King County families.

From the legal services side, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Executive Director Malou Chávez called the funding and alignment against perceived federal overreach critical.

For travelers, the through-line is trust. If people don’t trust local systems, they avoid them. That’s when small problems become emergencies.

5) Implementation timeline: what’s immediate vs what takes weeks (and what to watch for)

The order takes effect immediately. That usually means departments begin aligning guidance and operations right away.

But the changes you can actually see will roll out in stages.

Near-term milestone: the sheriff’s 911 response protocols should be published within the 30‑day window. When they appear, read them for:

• How dispatch handles calls about immigration enforcement activity
• Any language access commitments
• Whether the protocol spells out non-cooperation boundaries
• Any referrals to services or hotlines

Airport transparency measures: camera upgrades and observation improvements can take longer. Procurement, installation, and security review can slow things down. Still, you should expect public-facing updates as projects start.

Ongoing evaluation: the Welcoming County Subcabinet is meant to track progress. Watch for public updates, council briefings, departmental memos, and posted protocols.

If you want to verify what changed, don’t rely on rumors. Look for:

• Posted 911 protocols
• County announcements and department pages
• Visible facility updates at Boeing Field, where applicable

The county’s “next steps” messaging focuses on implementation work across departments, public-facing guidance releases, and ongoing progress reporting. It’s meant to be checkable, not abstract.

6) Where to read the full order, and how to confirm it’s real

King County says the full text is available through official county channels. When you pull it up, confirm authenticity the same way you would confirm a travel waiver.

Look for:

• An official King County domain
• The document number and matching order title
• The posting date and any attachments
• Department directives, implementation memos, and protocol documents

Also check back. Executive orders often get follow-up guidance. Departments may publish FAQs and operational protocols later.

The airline and miles angle: where travelers will feel this most

Most readers book flights out of SEA, not BFI. That means your day-to-day flying, miles earning, and award redemptions won’t change because of this King County executive order.

At SEA, you’re still choosing between:

• Alaska Mileage Plan for strong West Coast coverage and partner awards
• Delta SkyMiles for breadth and frequent SEA service
• American, United, and international partners for long-haul options

If you’re chasing status, nothing in this order changes elite qualification rules. Your EQMs, MQDs, PQPs, and miles earned still depend on the airline.

Where the order can matter is if you interact with county facilities while traveling. Or if you’re tracking deportation flight activity at a county airport.

Use-case scenarios: choose BFI vs SEA (and when you should care)

Choose SEA if:

• You want the most nonstop routes and airline choices.
• You’re earning miles and chasing status in a major program.
• You need reliable rebooking options during irregular operations.
• You’re traveling internationally and want established airline support.

Pay attention to BFI if:

• You care about public transparency around deportation flights at a county facility.
• You’re involved in local advocacy or oversight.
• You use charters, corporate aviation, or specialized flights that operate there.

If you’re on an H‑1B (or similar visa) and you’re traveling soon:

• This order doesn’t change re-entry rules.
• Your priority is still documents and timing. Keep your passport valid, carry approval notices, and plan for extra screening time.
• Avoid last-minute international trips if you need visa stamping and your consulate waits are long.
• The local “Know Your Rights” support and legal services funding may help families. It won’t replace immigration counsel.

A balanced verdict: fly SEA for normal trips, but watch Boeing Field for measurable transparency changes. The most time-sensitive piece is the sheriff’s public 911 protocol, due within 30 days of today’s signing. If you live in King County, check for that protocol release by mid‑March, then scan Boeing Field updates over the following months to see whether the camera and observation improvements actually appear on the ground.

→ In a NutshellVisaVerge.com

Zahilay Signs Bold Executive Order for Immigrant Protections

King County’s new executive order aims to protect immigrant communities by restricting civil immigration enforcement in non-public county spaces and funding legal services. It specifically targets Boeing Field for transparency upgrades regarding deportation flights. While it establishes local safety protocols and 911 clarity, it does not override federal authority or impact commercial flight procedures at SEA airport, where most travelers will continue to find standard airline services.