On Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, the City of SeaTac responded to the Sound Cities Association’s recent stance on asylum seekers (read our previous coverage here).

Interim City Manager Kyle Moore reaffirmed SeaTac’s leadership in aiding the estimated 1,300 asylum seekers residing in SeaTac and Tukwila. He highlighted the city’s successful collaboration with King County, Seattle, and the state to provide housing, case management, and other services.

“The City of SeaTac is perplexed as to why other city officials from other jurisdictions would weigh in our good working relationship with the King County Executive’s Office in partnering to solve the asylum seeker crisis,” Moore said, defending the city’s coordination efforts.

Moore emphasized SeaTac’s diverse community and ongoing commitment to supporting asylum seekers, many of whom are housed in local hotels, motels, and apartments. With $750,000 in state funding, SeaTac is working with local Community-Based Organizations to secure housing solutions. Moore stressed that solving the crisis will require collaboration from multiple partners.

Here’s the full statement from Moore:

“The City of SeaTac has taken a leadership position on helping asylum seekers who are currently residing in the City limits. The City has enjoyed a successful partnership with the King County Executive’s Office, the City of Seattle and the State of Washington to help house and provide case management, legal services and wraparound services to asylum seekers. SeaTac has been in constant communications with the County, City of Seattle and the State and collectively we are actively collaborating to find short and long-term solutions to this crisis.

“In addition to our other partners, SeaTac has also been collaborating with City of Tukwila to ensure we are working together to assist the estimated 1300 asylum seekers who are residing in both of our cities.

“The City of SeaTac is perplexed as to why other city officials from other jurisdictions would weigh in our good working relationship with the King County Executive’s Office in partnering to solve the asylum seeker crisis.  The spreading of inaccurate or misinformation undermines the successful working relationship the City has with the County on this important issue.

“The City of SeaTac is built on diversity. Refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers are an integral part of our community fabric. We estimate there are about 700 asylum seekers currently residing in SeaTac hotels, motels, apartments and homes. They are here seeking a better life, and they deserve our empathy and respect.

“SeaTac is the only city awarded money this summer by the Washington State Office of Refugee and Immigrant Affairs (ORIA) to fund housing for the asylee seekers. With $750,000 in state funding, the City is actively partnering with local Community Based Organizations (CBO) to find housing solutions for these individuals until they can obtain work permits and become self-sustaining.

“As a small City, we understand the importance of collaboration with our partners, including the County, to solve this issue. We, along with other municipalities in the Sound Cities Association, understand will it take coordination and funding from multiple partners to help solve this crisis. We will continue to be a partner seeking the best solutions for all involved.”