The Tukwila City Council on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 unanimously approved a temporary six-month ban on any new detention centers in the city following reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may seek to expand operations in the area.
According to KING5 News, the emergency moratorium is intended to address reports that ICE could lease space at the Riverfront Technical Park in Tukwila.
Local governments are not allowed to prohibit private companies from leasing office space, but an emergency moratorium would allow the city to temporarily block new detention centers.
The moratorium will last six months and can be extended.
Wired reported that ICE might be leasing space at the Riverfront Technical Park. ICE has not responded to requests for comment, and neither has the private company that owns the Riverfront Technical Park.
SeaMar Health Community Centers said an increased ICE presence in the Tukwila area would have negative consequences for its patients. The organization treats patients from the large immigrant population in south King County.
“The fear is always going to be there,” a representative said in comments aired by KING5 News. “We give assurances that we’re not going to share their information to ICE and other federal officials pursuing ICE objectives. But they are fearful.”
