Washington governor and AG stand by state prison notifications to ICE

Washington lawmakers are pushing to limit the Department of Corrections' information sharing with federal immigration authorities, yet Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Pam Bondi resist changing the current policy. The 2019 Keep Washington Working Act restricts local police cooperation with immigration enforcement, but the Corrections Department continues to provide ICE with inmate information. State Rep. Sharlett Mena has voiced concerns that the department's practices do not adequately protect community safety. A recent letter from nearly four dozen lawmakers calls for a reassessment of the agency's role, questioning why it voluntarily shares information not mandated by federal law.

Mena is exploring ways to address these concerns through executive action rather than new legislation. Despite the ongoing information sharing, the number of individuals detained by ICE after prison release has dropped, with only 51 out of 61 identified prisoners being picked up this year. More than 500 inmates currently have ICE detainers, with a significant portion convicted of violent crimes. The request for policy changes highlights the tension between state and federal immigration priorities.