A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing the agency to continue using a Seattle-area airport for chartered deportation flights. The decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturns a 2019 executive order issued by King County, Washington, which had sought to block deportation flights as part of its opposition to then-President Trump’s immigration policies.

The court found that King County violated its contractual obligations by prohibiting deportation operations at King County International Airport, commonly known as Boeing Field. The ruling is considered a significant win for ICE and, at the time, was seen as aligning with the incoming Trump administration’s priorities on immigration enforcement.

This decision highlights the ongoing legal battles between local governments and federal agencies over immigration policy and enforcement practices. The case underscores the tension between local resistance to deportation measures and federal mandates.