Protesters Demand ICE Removal from Seattle

Activists rally at Seattle Central College to call for the end of Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in the city.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Hundreds of protesters gathered at Seattle Central College on January 31st to demand the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the Seattle area. The protest was organized by Seattle Educators, a local advocacy group, and featured speeches from community leaders calling for an end to ICE's deportation and detention practices in the region.

Why it matters

The protest reflects growing tensions between immigrant communities and federal immigration enforcement in Seattle, a sanctuary city that has resisted cooperation with ICE. Activists argue that ICE's presence undermines public trust and makes undocumented immigrants fearful of interacting with local authorities.

The details

Protesters marched through the Seattle Central College campus, chanting slogans like "ICE out of Seattle" and carrying signs denouncing the agency's tactics. Speakers at the rally criticized ICE's record of human rights abuses and called on the city to sever all ties with the federal immigration enforcement body.

  • The protest was held on January 31, 2026 at Seattle Central College.

The players

Seattle Educators

A local advocacy group that organized the protest calling for the removal of ICE from Seattle.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow ICE to terrorize our communities any longer. Seattle must take a stand and demand their removal from our city.”

— Kayla Okonu, Protest Organizer (Seattle Spectator)

The takeaway

The protest highlights the ongoing debate over the role of federal immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities like Seattle, where local officials have sought to limit cooperation with ICE. The event reflects the broader national tensions around immigration policy and the growing grassroots movement to abolish agencies like ICE.