In a victory for the incoming Trump administration, an appeals court has ruled that the US can deport illegal immigrants, regardless of local opposition.

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to continue using a Seattle airport for chartered deportation flights, a decision that supports the incoming President-elect Trump's administration.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a 2019 local executive order aimed at opposing President Trump's immigration policies, stating that King County, Washington breached its contract by prohibiting deportations at King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field.

In 2019, the court ruled that the order to remove illegal migrants from the U.S. was unlawful because it discriminated against ICE and targeted federal operations. The local county sought to block the president's removal operations at Boeing Fields.

ICE has started using an airport in Yakima, Washington, for deportation flights, despite it being a longer drive from its Northwest detention center.

The increased distance from ICE detention facilities to the airport resulted in higher operational costs and security concerns, as ruled.

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A legal battle with King County arose in 2020 when the U.S. sued the county, accusing it of breaching a World War II-era contract that allows the federal government to use the airport and discriminating against ICE.

On Friday, Nov. 30, 9th Circuit Judge Daniel A. Bress upheld the court's decision, stating that, "this is not a situation in which King County officials are being conscripted into carrying out federal immigration laws on the federal government’s behalf."

The ruling states that instead of the United States, King County, as the owner of a public airport facility, is being asked to lift a discriminatory ban on private parties engaging in business with the federal government that supports federal immigration efforts.

The new order also calls for transparency around any deportation flights.

The airport has a conference room where the public can view deportation flights on a video feed, and the county publishes a log of deportation flights from the airport on its website.

The incoming Trump administration has won a ruling to initiate deportation efforts on the president-elect's first day back in office.

His commitment was strengthened by his selection of "border czar," Tom Homan.

Homan recently stated, "If you don't want to work with us, then leave immediately. We'll handle it."

Trump's election has prompted blue city officials to voice their opposition against Trump's deportation efforts. Denver Mayor Johnston is prepared to go to jail in opposition to Trump's plans.

The governors of Illinois, Arizona, and Massachusetts have declared that they will not support the administration in its operations.

In Illinois, Democratic Governor JB Pritzker pledged to maintain sanctuary status, assertively stating, "Any attempt to target my constituents will be met through me."

Arizona's Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, stated that her state will not participate in a "misguided" plan.

As governor, I will not tolerate any efforts that are part of misguided policies that harm, threaten, or terrorize our communities, and Arizona will not participate in those.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey made it clear that the Massachusetts state police would not assist in the Trump administration's planned deportations.