The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the federal government, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to continue deporting illegal immigrants without interference from local authorities. The case arose from a 2019 executive order by King County Executive Dow Constantine that blocked ICE flights from using essential airport services.
The order prohibited fixed base operators (FBOs) at Boeing Field from providing services to ICE-chartered flights, effectively hindering deportation operations. The Trump administration argued that the order violated the Supremacy Clause and an agreement granting federal access to the airfield.
The three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Constantine’s order unlawfully interfered with federal operations and discriminated against the government. The decision reaffirmed the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration laws.
King County announced it would not appeal the decision. The ruling comes as the Trump administration prepares to tackle the border crisis and address sanctuary cities resisting federal immigration enforcement.
Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, warned local leaders against impeding ICE operations. “It is a felony to knowingly harbor or conceal an illegal immigrant,” Homan stated, vowing legal consequences for those who obstruct enforcement.
The Ninth Circuit’s decision strengthens federal control over immigration enforcement, setting a precedent against sanctuary city policies. The ruling highlights the ongoing tensions between local resistance and federal authority in addressing the nation’s immigration challenges.
