Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is taking decisive action against the anticipated repercussions of President Donald Trump’s proposals for mass deportations. On February 1, 2021, Ferguson signed an executive order to establish the Family Separation Rapid Response Team, aimed at supporting children whose parents may be detained and deported under the new immigration policies.
During the announcement at the Centilia Cultural Center in Seattle, Ferguson underscored the gravity of these anticipated deportations, stating, "It means ripping families apart. It means kids losing their parents. It means businesses losing their workers. It means communities being significantly altered." This intervention arrives as the Trump administration rolls back guidelines protecting sensitive locations like schools and hospitals from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, raising concerns among immigrant communities.
The new team, comprised of officials from various state departments, including Children, Youth and Families, the Washington State Patrol, and the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, is tasked with ensuring children affected by deportations receive appropriate care and education continuity. Ferguson emphasized, "We need to be prepared if this were to come to pass," highlighting their commitment to support those at risk.
According to estimates, over 300,000 immigrants live without legal status across Washington, which complicates the state's efforts to mitigate the impact of federal enforcement. While Washington has enacted the Keep Washington Working Act to limit local authorities’ collaboration with immigration enforcement, it does not preclude federal actions within the state.
The urgency of this initiative is apparent, with the Trump administration's recent actions leading to approximately 956 arrests nationwide over one weekend, contrasting sharply with previous figures where ICE averaged around 311 daily arrests. “It’s about making a terrifying calculus every day,” said Roxana Norouzi, executive director at OneAmerica, reflecting the anxiety gripping local immigrant families.
Ferguson's proactive measure aims to provide some respite for families facing this tumultuous environment. Former state lawmaker Tana Senn reiterated the administration’s promise, assuring families, "I just want families to know and to feel rest assured... your child will be safe, will be cared for and will be loved here in Washington state." This reassurance is especially relevant for children who may be U.S. citizens, but whose parents lack legal status.
State officials have already taken legal action against several of Trump's executive orders. Just last week, Attorney General Nick Brown filed suit against Trump’s bid to eliminate birthright citizenship. A federal court temporarily blocked this executive order, reflecting Washington’s history of legal challenges to federal policies under Trump. Ferguson noted pride in Washington being the first state to successfully challenge Trump’s immigration directives during his presidency.
Despite this proactive stance from state officials, criticism has not been absent. State Rep. Jim Walsh, chair of the state Republican Party, labeled Ferguson's efforts as "an empty virtue signaling gesture," arguing for adherence to immigration law. Meanwhile, Trump’s deputy press secretary, Harrison Fields, asserted, “Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide... or get on board and work with President Trump,” signaling the administration’s pushback against state-level responses to federal immigration objectives.
Over the years, immigrant advocates have expressed growing concerns about the strategy of targeting immigrants under Trump's regime. The increasing anxiety has resulted in many community members feeling unsafe, affecting their daily routines significantly. Representative Emily Randall articulated this concern, emphasizing, “Targeting immigrants doesn’t make our communities safer... it spreads fear through our communities.”
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell reinforced the city’s support for immigrant communities, urging them to remain safe amid this uncertainty: “We love you, we love you.” With this growing climate of fear, Harrell stated, “This is a wake-up call here in America,” underlining the pressing need for unity against segregationist policies.
Governor Ferguson stated his intention to remain actively involved with the Family Separation Rapid Response Team. Their commitment to the welfare of immigrant families remains unwavering, even as the team prepares for its first meeting, expected no later than February 14. They aim to provide recommendations and prepare for the inevitability of increased deportations under federal orders.
With the future of Washington's immigrant community hanging delicately between federal policies and state-level protective measures, the developments over the coming weeks will be pivotal. The state’s efforts to protect vulnerable families from the anxiety proliferated by Trump’s administration offer both reassurance and resolve as they navigate the turbulent waters of these changes.