Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is standing his ground in the face of what he describes as threats from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. According to a statement released by the Office of the Governor, Ferguson has pledged that Washington will continue to uphold its commitment to protect all its residents, including immigrants, from what he views as the administration's "cruel federal immigration policies." Bondi's letter, which was received by Ferguson last week, accuses Washington of having "sanctuary policies" that may be in violation of federal law and warns of possible criminal charges for obstruction of federal enforcement efforts.
Ferguson's response was backed by numerous state officials and representatives from advocacy groups. In an obtained statement by the Governor's Office, Sen. Lisa Wellman of D-Mercer Island asserted, "The last thing we’re going to do is compromise our values and help ICE terrorize our communities of color." Wellman, alongside Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self of D-Mukilteo, argued that the Keep Washington Working Act, which is at the center of the controversy, ensures that local law enforcement can "focus on real crime" rather than immigration enforcement.
Rep. Julio Cortes of D-Everett emphasized the economic contributions of immigrants to the state's key sectors. "Immigrants contribute to our thriving agricultural, healthcare, tech, and hospitality sectors," Cortes said, according to an interview with the Governor's Office. He added, "Every day, these dedicated individuals show up to earn their livelihoods and strengthen our communities." This sentiment was echoed by others, including Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, who vowed continued protection for families "following our laws."
Amidst growing tensions, Malou Chávez, Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, stressed the importance of not just defending against overreach but also to actively improve protections. "Keep Washington Working is an important protection for our communities and we stand behind it 100 percent," Chávez told the Governor's Office.
