The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration law, ruling against local efforts in Washington state to block ICE operations. The case arose from a 2019 executive order by King County Executive Dow Constantine that restricted ICE-chartered flights from using a county-operated airport.
Constantine’s order barred fixed base operators (FBOs) at Boeing Field from providing services like refueling and landing stairs to ICE flights. The Trump administration challenged the directive, arguing it violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and a federal agreement granting access to the airfield.
The court ruled that Constantine’s directive interfered with federal immigration enforcement and unlawfully discriminated against ICE based on its governmental status. The panel emphasized that local authorities cannot obstruct federal agencies performing lawful operations.
King County announced it would not appeal the decision, signaling a victory for ICE and the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged to address sanctuary city policies that obstruct deportations.
Incoming border czar Tom Homan praised the ruling and cautioned local leaders against defying federal immigration law. “It is a felony to knowingly harbor or conceal an illegal immigrant from authorities,” Homan said, adding that enforcement efforts will intensify under the new administration.
This ruling reaffirms federal supremacy in immigration enforcement and sets a legal precedent for other jurisdictions that may attempt to resist ICE operations. It also underscores the tensions between federal authority and local defiance in sanctuary cities nationwide.
