Port of Seattle Commission criticizes Trump travel ban as harmful to commerce and global image

The Port of Seattle Commission issued a joint statement on Monday, June 9, 2025, sharply criticizing the latest travel ban from the Trump administration, calling it discriminatory and a threat to both international confidence and the regional economy.

While no direct flights from the newly affected countries land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Port commissioners said the policy sends a chilling message.

“This travel ban will send a message to the rest of the world that the United States does not want people from the rest of the world to come here,” the Commission wrote. “It also goes against what our country and our Port stand for.”

The commissioners framed the travel ban as part of a broader pattern of restrictive immigration policies — including heightened detentions of lawful permanent residents and tightened asylum rules — that they say undermine the Port’s values and harm the country’s reputation.

“We feel [these policies] will not make our country safer but instead damage our global reputation and make the United States a less attractive destination for immigrants, tourists, and other travelers,” the statement said.

Although no operational impacts at SEA were reported, the Port emphasized that trust and consistency are vital for international travel and trade. The Commission warned the travel ban could hinder commerce and job creation in the Pacific Northwest.

“The success of air travel depends on passenger confidence that their rights will be upheld and that there is a reliable, consistent treatment of all international arriving visitors.”

The Port reaffirmed its commitment to civil rights and equity at all its facilities and pledged to continue advocating for policies that reflect justice and dignity.

“The Port of Seattle will continue to stand up for what is right and what we believe will create the best results for our communities, our partners, and our economy.”

Full Text of Statement

Here’s the full text of the statement:

“As the Port of Seattle’s Commission, we work to advance trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in the most equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner possible. The Port of Seattle is committed to making Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and all our facilities places that uphold civil rights, justice, and dignity.

“The Trump Administration’s most recent travel ban is yet another example of an approach to immigration policy that we believe runs counter to our goals of being a welcoming gateway for people from around the world.

“Prior to this travel ban, the Administration has issued and enacted a series of immigration policy changes — from increased detentions of visa and lawful permanent residents returning to the country to enacting tighter asylum restrictions and reducing refugee admissions — that we feel will not make our country safer but instead damage our global reputation and make the United States a less attractive destination for immigrants, tourists, and other travelers. The success of air travel depends on passenger confidence that their rights will be upheld and that there is a reliable, consistent treatment of all international arriving visitors.

“While no direct flights from countries listed in the travel ban land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, this travel ban will send a message to the rest of the world that the United States does not want people from the rest of the world to come here. It also goes against what our country and our Port stand for, and has the potential to harm travel, commerce, and trade in the Pacific Northwest and nationally while promoting discrimination and exclusion.

“The Port of Seattle will continue to stand up for what is right and what we believe will create the best results for our communities, our partners, and our economy.”