Blue state suing sheriff’s office for helping enforce immigration law
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has taken legal action against a county sheriff’s office in his state, accusing them of collaborating with federal officials and the Trump administration to enforce immigration law. The lawsuit, filed in Spokane County Superior Court, alleges that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office has been holding illegal immigrants in custody based on their immigration status, assisting federal agents in questioning individuals in custody, and sharing confidential information of Washington residents with federal officials in violation of state law.
The legal basis for Brown’s lawsuit is the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits law enforcement in the state from aiding in immigration enforcement. Brown is seeking a court order to compel the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, headed by Sheriff Dale Wagner, to adhere to the provisions of the Keep Washington Working Act. The lawsuit argues that Washington has the authority to determine how to allocate its resources to ensure the safety of its residents and maintain a robust economy, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for elected officials to flaunt state laws and endanger their communities.
In a statement released by Brown’s office, it was noted that nearly all sheriff’s departments in the state are in compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act, with only a handful of exceptions. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office’s alleged collaboration with federal immigration officials and the Trump administration was singled out as a violation of the law. Brown’s office affirmed that the lawsuit is aimed at upholding the Keep Washington Working Act, which underscores that state and local law enforcement agencies in Washington should not be involved in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
According to Brown, settlement negotiations with Adams County were underway until the change in administration, after which the county took a more rigid stance and aligned itself with America First Legal, a conservative law firm founded by former Trump advisor Stephen Miller. America First Legal released a statement asserting its support for Adams County against what it deemed as unlawful attempts by Washington state officials to enforce sanctuary laws and compel the county to violate federal immigration statutes.
James Rogers, Senior Counsel at America First Legal, highlighted the obligations imposed by federal immigration laws, emphasizing that concealing or shielding illegal aliens and obstructing federal officials constitute criminal offenses. Rogers criticized Washington’s efforts to undermine federal immigration laws and commended Adams County officials for cooperating with federal agencies to uphold national security. America First Legal condemned Washington’s targeting of Adams County for adhering to the law and collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to safeguard the country.
The legal dispute between Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office underscores the ongoing tension between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement. The outcome of this lawsuit will have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of immigration laws and the autonomy of state and local law enforcement agencies in Washington.
