Keep Washington Working Act
Signed into law: May 21, 2019
Governor: Jay Inslee
Status: Active Law
Why This Bill Protects Immigrant Communities
- Prohibits immigration status collection: Law enforcement cannot routinely ask about or collect place of birth, immigration status, or nationality unless necessary for a criminal investigation
- Prevents stops for immigration status: Officers cannot stop or detain someone solely to determine immigration status
- Blocks information sharing: Prohibits providing ICE/CBP with non-public personal information like home addresses
- Ends ICE access to jail interviews: Prevents ICE/CBP from interviewing people in custody about civil immigration violations
- Bans 287(g) agreements: Prohibits agreements deputizing local law enforcement for immigration enforcement
- Ends ICE detention contracts: Bans contracts with immigration agencies to rent jail bed space
- Requires model policies: Mandates all public schools, courthouses, health facilities, and law enforcement agencies adopt protective policies
- Protects state agency services: Over 20 state agencies must ensure services are provided regardless of immigration status
- Repealed prior notification requirements: Eliminated laws requiring jails to collect and report information to immigration authorities
- Bipartisan support: Passed with bipartisan support in the legislature
Key Quote
"It is not state or local law enforcement's primary purpose to enforce civil federal immigration law... a person's immigration status, presence in the country, or employment alone is not a matter for police action." — Washington State Legislature findings