Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington state are clashing fiercely over the future of the state’s sanctuary policies, as threats from the federal government intensify and local officials dig in their heels. At the heart of the dispute is the Keep Washington Working Act, a law adopted in 2019 that limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities and restricts the sharing of nonpublic information except in very specific scenarios.
The latest salvo came on August 22, 2025, when a coalition of Republican state senators—including Phil Fortunato of Pierce County, Jeff Wilson of Longview, Jim McCune of Graham, and Leonard Christian of Spokane Valley—called for the repeal of the Keep Washington Working Act. Their demand came amid heightened pressure from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has threatened to withhold federal funds from what the Department of Justice labels as "sanctuary jurisdictions." These are places, Bondi argues, whose "policies, laws, or regulations impede enforcement of federal immigration laws."
Senator Fortunato minced no words in a statement released Wednesday. "The federal government has made its position clear. Washington’s sanctuary policies are putting our state at risk, both financially and in terms of public safety," he said. "The so-called ‘Keep Washington Working Act’ has nothing to do with keeping Washingtonians working. Instead, it ties the hands of law enforcement, shields dangerous criminals, and puts our taxpayers at risk." According to The Spokesman-Review, these concerns have become a rallying cry for conservatives in the state, especially as the Trump administration ramps up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants nationwide.
But Democrats at both the state and local levels are forcefully pushing back. According to reporting by Warren Strobel and Noah Robertson, Democratic officials have not only rejected Bondi’s threats but have also doubled down on their commitment to sanctuary policies. The pressure from the Trump administration, they argue, is a direct attack on state and local autonomy. They also warn that the threats of stripping federal funding or even criminal prosecution—leveled by Bondi—are both heavy-handed and potentially harmful to their communities.
Attorney General Bondi’s warnings were delivered in formal letters sent last week to Governor Bob Ferguson, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and dozens of other officials across the United States. In these letters, Bondi wrote, "You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States. This ends now." The message was clear: abandon sanctuary policies or face severe consequences, including the potential loss of federal funding.
These threats have not gone unanswered. At a press conference in the state capitol, Governor Ferguson responded with resolve. "I am very confident that if the federal government files a lawsuit challenging the Keep Washington Working Act, that we will be successful in defending it," Ferguson said. He vowed to defend the law against any federal challenge and to "seek all appropriate costs and fees." Ferguson’s stance is not just about state pride; it’s about what he and his allies see as a fundamental fight over local control and the rights of states to set their own policies.
Senator Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, the prime sponsor of the Keep Washington Working Act, echoed these sentiments. She described the law as "important in terms of keeping our businesses flourishing" and emphasized, "It is the responsibility of the federal government to enforce immigration law." For Wellman and other supporters, the act is a practical measure designed to protect local economies and communities, not a political provocation.
Yet, Republican critics remain unconvinced. Senator Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, accused Governor Ferguson of "just doing everything in his power to pick a fight with the Trump administration and leaving the Legislature and the citizens of this state to pick up the bar tab afterwards." Christian argued that the governor is "bent on putting our state at jeopardy on the funding of a lot of things." The fear of losing federal dollars looms large for many lawmakers, especially as the Trump administration continues to threaten punitive measures against non-compliant states.
During the 2025 legislative session, Senators Fortunato and McCune introduced a bill that would have forbidden any "state entity, law enforcement agency, or local governmental entity" from adopting a sanctuary jurisdiction policy. The proposed legislation would have also directed local law enforcement to "use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law." However, the bill died in committee without even receiving a hearing—a sign, perhaps, of the deep partisan divide on the issue and the strength of Democratic opposition in Olympia.
Despite these legislative setbacks, Republican lawmakers have signaled that this fight is far from over. "I would imagine that something would come up again about it, especially since this is trying to directly pick a fight with the Trump administration," Christian said. He predicted that the issue would resurface when lawmakers return to Olympia in January, keeping the debate alive as the 2026 election season looms ever closer.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders remain steadfast. According to reporting by Strobel and Robertson, they have forcefully opposed Bondi’s threats, refusing to be cowed by the possibility of losing federal funds or facing criminal prosecution. Their message is simple: sanctuary policies are here to stay, at least as long as they hold the reins of power in Washington state.
The broader context of this struggle is the Trump administration’s nationwide crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions. The White House and Department of Justice have made it clear that "full cooperation by state and local governments in immigration enforcement efforts is a top priority." But for many in Washington state, the fight is about more than just immigration. It’s a battle over who gets to decide local policy—Washington, D.C., or Olympia and city halls across the state.
As the standoff continues, both sides are preparing for a protracted legal and political battle. With the possibility of federal lawsuits, funding cuts, and legislative maneuvers all on the table, the future of sanctuary policies in Washington state remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: neither side is backing down, and the outcome will have lasting implications for the state’s residents, its law enforcement agencies, and its relationship with the federal government.
In the end, as lawmakers and officials brace for the next round of legislative skirmishes and legal challenges, Washington’s sanctuary policy debate stands as a microcosm of the larger national struggle over immigration, federalism, and the balance of power in American government.
