On Monday, Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson doubled down on Washington’s controversial sanctuary policies by announcing a new executive order creating an “Immigration Sub-Cabinet” to coordinate state agencies on immigration-related issues and data privacy, even as the Trump administration ramps up efforts to protect ICE facilities from violent anti-ICE attacks.
Executive Order 25-09 instructs state agencies to review their data collection and sharing practices to ensure they are “protecting the privacy and safety of all residents consistent with Washington’s values.” Ferguson said the move is meant to “protect immigrant communities” from what he called “cruel attacks” by the federal government.
I recently signed an executive order reaffirming Washington’s commitment to protecting immigrant rights.
We’re creating the Immigration Sub-Cabinet to promote coordination among state agencies on issues related to immigration.
I’m also directing state agencies to review their…
— Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) September 29, 2025
The new sub-cabinet, run by the Office of Equity, Governor’s Office, and Office of Financial Management, will meet regularly, coordinate between agencies, and work with activist groups to develop statewide “standards” on issues like immigration enforcement, health care, and data privacy.
Ferguson’s announcement came after President Trump ordered the National Guard to defend ICE facilities in Portland following escalating Antifa violence. Over the weekend, Trump directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.”
Rather than support the federal effort to protect law enforcement facilities, Ferguson took to X to condemn the deployment, writing, “Washington stands with Oregon. I remain concerned by President Trump’s activation of the National Guard in Portland… We do not need or want the president to militarize our streets.”
Washington stands with Oregon.
I remain concerned by President Trump’s activation of the National Guard in Portland.
I’m continuing to monitor the situation. Over the weekend, we were in communication with Governor Kotek and her team, as well as Mayor Harrell. We’re meeting…
— Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) September 29, 2025
Earlier this year, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown sued Adams County in Eastern Washington, accusing the sheriff’s office of violating the state’s “Keep Washington Working Act,” the 2019 sanctuary law, over 200 times by cooperating with ICE detainers and notifying federal agents when criminal illegal immigrants were scheduled for release.
Adams County officials say they were simply following federal law to protect their community. In one case, the county’s cooperation led ICE to detain a convicted sex offender who would have otherwise been released back into the public.
Special Deputy Prosecutor Joel Ard argued the state sanctuary statute itself is illegal because it obstructs federal law by “harboring, concealing, and shielding” illegal aliens. “Federal law is supreme over state law,” Ard wrote, “and Adams County cannot discriminate against the federal government and its immigration enforcement efforts.”
Washington’s sanctuary policies explicitly ban sheriffs and police from cooperating with ICE detainers, even for violent offenders. A 2019 ICE report called these sanctuary jurisdictions “one of the biggest impediments to public safety efforts,” warning that dangerous criminals were being released back onto the streets.
The Trump administration has begun pushing back. In April, Trump signed Executive Order 14287, directing DOJ and DHS to publicly identify jurisdictions that defy federal immigration law. Washington State and Seattle were both named.
The House Judiciary Committee has also launched a probe, accusing Washington’s government of endangering citizens by shielding “criminal aliens” and targeting sheriffs who try to comply with federal law. Lawmakers pointed to testimony from a former ICE official who confirmed that at least one murder in Washington could have been prevented if local officials had cooperated with ICE.
Meanwhile, ICE’s Seattle field office has continued arresting illegal immigrants with serious criminal histories, including members of transnational gangs like Tren de Aragua, fugitive hitmen, and suspects wanted for child rape, drug trafficking, assault, and kidnapping, many of whom were previously released due to state sanctuary restrictions.
