King County Approves One-Year Moratorium On New Detention Centers

The King County Council recently approved a measure sponsored by King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda that imposes a one-year moratorium on new or expanded detention facilities in unincorporated King County, temporarily blocking proposals that could include immigration detention centers operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The emergency ordinance immediately prevents the county from accepting permit applications for detention facilities proposed as either permanent or temporary uses. The measure also closes regulatory gaps that could allow private detention projects to move forward through vague or misleading project descriptions before updated rules are adopted.

Mosqueda said the legislation is intended to ensure that King County land use policies prioritize community well-being and public health rather than expanding detention infrastructure.

“King County’s land and resources should be used to support the health, safety, and well-being of our communities not to build systems that isolate, intimidate, and harm the very people who make our region strong,” Mosqueda said. “Detention facilities are being used to disappear our friends, family, and community members into inhumane conditions, often without due process and they also carry serious consequences for the health and safety of surrounding neighborhoods. When our neighbors are afraid to seek medical care, shop for groceries, or send their children to school, they bear the immediate harm and our communities lose the trust, connection, and stability that allow us all to thrive.”

County officials said the moratorium was adopted to prevent a potential rush of permit applications while King County reviews how detention facilities should be regulated.

The ordinance directs King County Executive Girmay Zahilay to conduct a study examining the impacts of detention facilities, possible mitigation measures and appropriate development standards. The ordinance calls for recommendations for permanent code updates within nine months.

County officials said King County has the authority under constitutional police powers, home rule authority and the Washington state Growth Management Act to establish a moratorium while studying related land use issues.

Zahilay supported the moratorium and said concerns about the possible siting of additional immigration detention facilities have raised fears among residents.

“I appreciate Councilmember Mosqueda’s legislation to declare a one-year moratorium on siting any new or expanded detention facilities within unincorporated King County. Many friends and neighbors call King County home and to call someplace home has deep meaning rooted in things like acceptance, opportunity and safety. News that the federal government may be looking to site additional immigration detention facilities within our county jeopardizes that sense of home and the safety that should ideally come along with it,” Zahilay said.

Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck also praised the action and described the measure as an example of regional collaboration among local governments.

“I applaud King County Councilmember Mosqueda’s work to pass a moratorium on new detention centers in King County. This regional collaboration between our governments serves our communities well as we look to use every tool at our disposal to push back against the illegal actions of a federal administration focused on causing harm to our residents. This legislation is the result of collaboration between the City of Seattle and King County, and Seattle,” Rinck said.

A public hearing on the moratorium will be held within 60 days.