Immigrant rights, labor leaders condemn ICE presence in Seattle

The following is from WAISN, WSLC, MLK Labor, SEIU 775, and UFCW 3000:

‘We call for solidarity among all workers in the face of this obvious attempt by the federal government to ignite civil unrest and divide working people’

SEATTLE, WA (June 13, 2025) — As leaders in Washington’s immigration rights and labor movements, we condemn the order for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Response Teams to prepare for deployment to Seattle, as reported by MSNBC. 

Immigrants are our coworkers, loved ones, and neighbors. They are integral to the culture, economy, and fabric of the United States. We will not be silent while the Trump regime demonizes, targets, and terrorizes immigrants who have made their home in Seattle.

Deploying ICE Special Response Teams to Seattle defies the will of local communities and immigrant, labor, and elected leaders. This unnecessary escalation endangers our families and our communities in an intentional attempt to scapegoat immigrants, spread panic, ignite civil unrest, and justify an authoritarian power grab. Militarized federal agents raiding workplaces and targeting workers who are just trying to provide for their families create a climate of fear and anxiety throughout our communities. Our immigrant neighbors and co-workers bear the brunt of this fear, but armed federal agents acting with impunity threaten the safety and well-being of all Seattleites. 

We know that peaceful, civil disobedience is how we secure fairness and justice for working people. As immigrant rights and labor leaders, we believe that non-violence is the best way to keep us all safe in the face of demonstrated brutality and militarization. We must center the safety of our immigrant communities as we defend our co-workers and loved ones.

“Rapid response is about protecting our neighbors in real time, and centering their safety, dignity, and autonomy. Mass mobilization has power, but when misaligned, it can turn immigrant lives into symbols for someone else’s outrage, and give the federal government cover to expand deportation efforts. We must be strategic and respond with nonviolence, not because we lack rage, but because we cannot afford to lose the ground immigrant organizers fought to build for decades. Solidarity with immigrants means listening, respecting immigrants’ agency, and showing up in ways that serve, not overshadow. Immigrants are a vital part of the labor movement, and we must continue building a strong, connected, and just world together. We must commit daily to collective care, defense, and justice,” said Catalina Velasquez, Executive Director of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN).

“Nearly 1 in 5 workers in Washington was born outside the United States. Threatening mass, militarized raids targeting our workplaces is a direct attack on the working class. Organized labor has a long history of using disciplined protest and peaceful civil disobedience to fight for justice and protect our rights; we call for solidarity among all workers in the face of this obvious attempt by the federal government to ignite civil unrest and divide working people,” said April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

“The Seattle labor movement stands in solidarity with immigrant workers and resolutely condemns the destructive workplace raids ICE is conducting across America. Immigrants are our friends, our family, and our co-workers. Immigrant workers are essential to our region’s economic success and the backbone of countless small businesses. The Trump administration’s immigration raids are designed to instill chaos, fear, and economic pain across the country. We must speak out when ICE wreaks havoc in our community, but our protests must remain non-violent, even when ICE is not. We will not allow this administration’s tactics to sow division and escalate conflict. Our power lies in collective action, not chaos,” said Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor.

“Caregivers stand with immigrant rights leaders in calling for peaceful non-violent protests against these dangerous raids,” said Sterling Harders, President of SEIU 775, the Caregivers Union.

“Our union represents 56,000 members, including many immigrants. With these ICE raids, the Trump administration aims to spread fear so it’s easier for them to divide and conquer. Standing up and standing together with immigrant communities in large, peaceful protests will help resist Trump’s actions and make our communities stronger,” said Faye Guenther, President of UFCW 3000.

Everyone in this country has constitutionally protected rights, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. We encourage working people to familiarize themselves with their rights in interactions with immigration officials and to exercise their right to document and report ICE activity through the WAISN Deportation Defense Hotline, 1-844-724-3737.