Washington State Stands Firm Against Federal August 19 Deadline on Sanctuary Policies

Washington State faces an imminent August 19 deadline from the U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi to dismantle its "sanctuary policies" or face potential legal repercussions and federal funding cuts. The ultimatum, issued via an August 13 letter, targets the state's Keep Washington Working Act (KWWA), which limits local and state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown have signaled defiance, asserting the state's commitment to its current laws.

U.S. Attorney General Bondi's directive follows President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14287, "Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens," signed on April 28, 2025. This order mandated the identification of jurisdictions impeding federal immigration enforcement, leading to a Department of Justice list published on August 5, 2025, which included Washington State. Bondi's letter warns that continued non-compliance could result in civil liability, criminal charges for officials, and the withholding of federal grants.

Governor Ferguson, in response to the federal pressure, stated, "Washington state has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration." He further emphasized that "The federal government’s relentless targeting of law-abiding immigrants is wrong." The KWWA, enacted in 2019, restricts local and state resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement and prohibits sharing nonpublic information with federal authorities, with exceptions for serious criminal charges.

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, whose office is reviewing Bondi's letter, has consistently defended the KWWA as both morally correct and legally sound, arguing it aligns with constitutional principles that prevent the federal government from commandeering state resources. The state's stance aligns with other "blue states" and cities, including Connecticut, New York City, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon, which have received similar letters and largely expressed defiance. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell affirmed, "We remain committed to our local values, including being a welcoming city for all. We will continue to defend our residents and our rights – and we will not hesitate to do so in court."

The federal administration argues that sanctuary policies endanger Americans by providing "aliens cover to perpetrate crimes" and evade immigration consequences. However, Washington officials maintain that the KWWA ensures trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, encouraging crime reporting without fear of deportation. The outcome of this standoff, particularly after the August 19 deadline, is expected to set a significant precedent in the ongoing federal-state dispute over immigration enforcement.