EVERETT, FEB. 24: Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin will issue a directive at this week’s city council meeting to clarify the city’s response to immigration enforcement.
A letter sent to the Mayor and Everett City Council members from more than 30 community organizations requests “immediate action to protect immigrant families in Everett,” and suggests policies to implement.
The Daily Herald reported that Mayor Franklin plans on responding with a directive during Wednesday’s, Feb. 25, city council meeting to direct how police and city staff should respond to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions within the city.
Mayoral directives are issued to direct city departments to take specific actions. This will be Mayor Franklin’s first directive of 2026 after issuing a directive on youth safety in 2025.
Across the nation, federal immigration enforcement has increased under the direction of the Trump administration’s goal to deport illegal immigrants.
Altercations with ICE agents have increased, with a total of eight people being killed by agents or in ICE custody since January.
The federal government’s infiltration in Minneapolis has sparked concerns and outrage, prompting legislation to deter ICE, including in the predominately Democratic Washington state. Republican lawmakers have expressed general support of the administration’s controversial tactics, prioritizing strict immigration enforcement.
In the letter obtained by the Everett Post, organizations claim the community is experiencing “real harm and fear.”
“Participation in after-school programs has dropped. Businesses serving immigrant communities are reporting a reduction in sales of 50% – 90%, because families are afraid to be out and about. A local grocer has even begun offering delivery because foot traffic has fallen so sharply,” the letter said.
The organizations request that the city:
- Require Everett police to document immigration enforcement activity
- Establish cooperation with community organizations and hotlines to alert of ICE activity
- Prohibit federal immigration enforcement from using or entering city-owned property
- Encouraging private property owners to require warrants and providing them with “know your rights” information
The letter was signed by 33 organizations, including Connect Casino Road, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, Casa Latina, Latino Educational Training Institute, Everett Station District Alliance, Housing Hope, Village on Casino Road, and more.
The mayor made a statement on ICE tactics late January after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were both killed during the immigration operation in Minneapolis.
“What we’re seeing at a federal level is unacceptable and deeply concerning. I care deeply about the safety, dignity, and rights of all our residents. In Everett, our focus is serving everyone in our community and maintaining trust with our residents,” Franklin said during the Jan. 28 meeting.
Franklin affirmed that Everett would comply with Washington state law, in addition to city policies, which do not assist federal civil immigration enforcement. Franklin also said the Everett Police Department will not enforce federal immigration law and does not support ICE investigations.
For more information regarding the upcoming city council meeting, see the city council webpage.
