Seattle will serve as a “sanctuary” for immigrants despite the election victory of Donald Trump and will use existing legislation to protect non-native citizens, the city’s mayor has promised.

Mayor Ed Murray said he would defend the Washington State city’s liberal stance on immigration even if it came at the expense of losing federal funding, which will be allocated by the Trump-led government from 2017.

So-called "sanctuary cities" have long been a point of contention in the US immigration debate, with Republicans taking a tougher stance against them.

“We're a nation of immigrants. Continuing to be a sanctuary city is the most American thing we can do,” Mr Murray wrote on Twitter. “We are a city that will build bridges and not let walls be built.”

The president-elect’s campaign was strongly characterised by anti-immigrant sentiment and he promised to block funding for cities that refused to cooperate with his policies.

As part of the "Blue Wall" of more Democratic-leaning West Coast states, Washington voted decisively against Trump in the election.

Seattle city legislation passed in 2003 prevents police officers or other officials from asking about an immigrant’s legal status without a reasonable suspicion they have committed an offence or been deported in the past.

President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpís victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP

The law's supporters claim it improves public safety as it enables undocumented migrants to interact with the authorities without fear of being detained.

Mr Murray has a long history of liberal campaigning, having supported same sex marriage and passed a municipal law on minimum wage that made Seattle’s the highest in the country.

Speaking to journalists after the results were called, he expressed concern that the Trump campaign “demonstrated outright misogyny, xenophobia and homophobia and nationalism, racism and authoritarian tendencies.”

However, he urged citizens to build bridges with supporters of Mr Trump, saying they were people who were “struggling” because of economic inequality.

“Regardless of tonight’s national results, tomorrow Seattle will remain a city guided by the values of equality, inclusion and openness,” said Mr Murray in a statement issued in response to the election result.

“Tomorrow we will continue to support women, we will welcome as neighbours our Muslim brothers and sisters, and tomorrow black lives will still matter. Our city will remain strong because of our diversity, not in spite of it.

“In Seattle, our results show a city ready to lead in building a more equitable and progressive future.