ICE accuses Everett mayor of escalating tensions over immigration

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accused Everett, Washington Mayor Cassie Franklin of escalating tensions with federal officials after she issued a directive limiting immigration enforcement in the city.

Franklin this week issued a mayoral directive that establishes citywide protocols for personnel, including law enforcement, restricting federal immigration officials from entering non-public areas of city buildings without judicial authorization.

“We have heard directly from residents who are afraid to leave their homes due to the alarming immigration activity occurring locally and across our country. It is heartbreaking to see the impacts this is having on Everett families and businesses,” Franklin said in a statement.

“With this directive, we establish clear protocols, protect access to services, and strengthen our commitment to serving the entire community.”

ICE condemned the directive on Friday, writing to X that it “escalates tensions and directs city law enforcement to intervene in ICE operations at their discretion,” thereby “putting everyone at greater risk.”

ICE said Franklin directed city employees to “interfere with ICE operations and disclose the location of ICE officers and agents.”

“Working AGAINST ICE forces federal teams into the community to search for illegal criminal aliens released from local jails – INCREASING THE FEDERAL PRESENCE,” the agency said. “Working with ICE reduces federal presence.”

“If Mayor Franklin wanted to protect the people he claims to serve, he would have strengthened the city police with the ICE 287g partnership, serving criminal, illegal aliens instead,” ICE added.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement criticized Everett’s mayor after he issued a directive restricting federal agents from accessing non-public areas of city facilities without permission. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Federal immigration enforcement is causing real fear for Everett residents,” Franklin said at the city council meeting where he announced the policy.

“It is heartbreaking to see the impact racial profiling is having on Everett families and businesses,” he said. “We know there are kids staying home from school, people not going to work, or people not spending their day eating out or shopping for essentials.”

The mayor’s directive covers four main areas; these include restricting federal immigration officers from accessing non-public areas of city buildings without a warrant, requiring immediate reporting of enforcement activities on city property, and requiring clear signs to enforce access limits.

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Everett, Wash. Mayor Cassie Franklin said her new directive aims to protect residents at a time of increased enforcement activity against immigrants. (iStock)

It also calls for the creation of an Interdepartmental Response Team to ensure compliance with state laws and a review of domestic policy and staff training, including updated immigration enforcement protocols.

Franklin directed city staff to expand partnerships with community leaders, advocacy groups and regional governments to coordinate immigration enforcement responses while promoting immigrant-owned businesses and providing workplace protections and “know your rights” resources.

The mayor also affirmed his commitment to “constitutional policing and best practices,” stating that the police department would comply with state laws prohibiting participation in civil immigration enforcement. The guidance outlines protocols for documenting interactions with federal officials, reviewing records requests, and strengthening privacy safeguards and technology controls.

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Everett, Wash., Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a directive limiting federal immigration enforcement on city facilities. (iStock)

“We want everyone in the city of Everett to feel safe calling 911 when they need help and to know that Everett Police will not ask questions about your immigration status,” Franklin said during the council meeting. “I also expect our officers to intervene, if safe to do so, to protect our residents when they witness federal officers using unnecessary force.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Mayor Franklin’s office and ICE for comment.

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