Governor, House Speaker say WA is preparing to respond to Trump’s deportation plans

After a Justice Department memo indicated President Donald Trump wants to target deportation efforts in sanctuary states such as Washington, officials and advocates across the state are preparing for a federal crackdown on local immigrants.

Before an abortion rights rally Wednesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson fielded a question from McClatchy about the situation.

“We’ve been preparing for this for some time, right? When I was AG (attorney general), we spent a year preparing for Donald Trump’s possible presidency, going line by line through Project 2025. You saw the results of that with the lawsuit yesterday that was filed by the AG’s Office,” he said.

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown on Tuesday announced a lawsuit targeting Trump’s executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship, decrying the directive as “unconstitutional,” “cruel” and “simply un-American.”

But Ferguson said Wednesday the state needs to see beyond Trump’s threats to what the president actually does. If the president pushes beyond legal actions and harms Washingtonians, “I think you’re going to see litigation, either led by Washington or joining other states or some combination.”

“If it’s immigration raids, are they lawful? Are they not lawful? We need to make sure we’re preparing,” he said.

But Ferguson said he’s serious about protecting families and children.

“You’ll be hearing more from us soon, I think, about preparations we’re taking to make sure, if there are raids, what the impacts are to families, and making sure we’re doing everything we can as a state to make sure we are helping out kids, maybe, for example, if one of their parents, for example, is deported,” he said. “So we’re spending a lot of time preparing for a lot of variables, but we will have to kind of see as things emerge, take it case by case.”

The Democrat also pointed out that this will be just one of the consequences of electing Trump.

“It’s important to remind folks, elections have consequences,” he said.

“Presidents have a lot of authority in a range of issues, including immigration issues. So we’re prepared legally, if that makes sense, but we’re also preparing even if the president takes an action that we object to, but it’s lawful. We’re preparing for that as well to make sure we’re minimizing the impacts.”

House Speaker Laurie Jinkins told McClatchy Wednesday that her caucus wants to ensure the Constitution is protected. In general, the Tacoma Democrat said she wants to see the state protect the Keep Washington Working Act, passed during the first Trump administration to make sure deportation efforts don’t decimate the state’s workforce.

Jinkins wants to ensure local law enforcement and schools remain focused on their missions and are not diverted into federal matters.

But she also is concerned about protecting the rights of Washingtonians. Many residents have families who originally came here as immigrants.

“We will be prepared primarily, I think, to work with Attorney General Brown to make sure that people’s constitutional rights are being upheld in this state, and that our workforce and the things where we’re making progress here in Washington aren’t being ruined by stuff that’s happening in the other Washington,” she said.

Thurston Democrats urge residents to get involved

Kait Toompas, chair of Thurston County Democrats, called the Trump administration’s immigration policies a threat to the fundamental and locally valued principles of inclusivity and community.

“A mass deportation campaign and attacks on sanctuary jurisdictions would sow fear, separate families, and undermine the trust between immigrant communities and local authorities,” Toompas said. “These actions not only harm individuals but destabilize the broader social and economic fabric of our county.”

In response, Toompas said Thurston County Democrats are actively working to limit the impact of “such disastrous policies” by supporting Democratic leadership in the state.

“Our efforts focus on correcting misinformation, mobilizing community support, and advocating for policies that protect vulnerable populations,” Toompas said. “We stand with our immigrant neighbors and remain committed to preserving Washington’s status as a sanctuary state.”

To further that work, Toompas said the local party is welcoming new members.

“Thurston County Democrats are determined to counter fear and division with hope and unity,” Toompas said. “We urge all community members to stay informed, get involved, and make their voices heard in the face of these challenges.”

Olympia Mayor says city has promised to protect

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne provided a brief written statement to The Olympian reacting to President Trump’s statements regarding deportation efforts in sanctuary states and cities.

The City of Olympia was officially declared a sanctuary city for residents regardless of their immigration status in 2016 in response to Trump’s first administration’s policies on immigration.

The city’s history as a safe haven goes even further back, to 1985 when the City Council passed a resolution for the city to be known as a City of Peace where those who are politically persecuted can find safe haven and sanctuary.

At the time, there was unrest in Central America, prompting many to come to the United States as refugees to escape volatile circumstances.

Payne said in his statement that the City Council once again declared Olympia a sanctuary city in 2022 for women in need of reproductive health care.

“Part of offering sanctuary is a promise to protect those who cannot protect themselves from some onslaught bigger than them,” he said.

Payne said President Trump now has issued a warning and threat to cities like Olympia that have promised to give sanctuary, but the city doesn’t know what these threats will mean or how they may play out.

“We do know we promised a place of shelter for our residents who face persecution,” he said. “Olympia is a city of its word.”

Payne said it’s cruel to strip vulnerable, oppressed people of protection and safety. He said Olympia won’t be cruel, and officials won’t allow the federal government to force them to act cruelly.

“When we are on the other side of this new administration, we will still need to be able to look in the mirror and see ourselves, in all our compassion and with all our principles intact,” Payne said.

Thurston Prosecuting Attorney Office sticks to their role

Tara Tsehlana, spokesperson for the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, told The Olympian that immigration enforcement was not within their purview.

“Our office has not received any communication from the new administration requesting assistance with deportation efforts,” Tsehlana said. “Immigration enforcement is solely a federal responsibility and does not fall within the scope of our authority.”

As a local office, Tsehlana said they remained primarily focused on reviewing charges referred by local law enforcement. She added they only prosecute violations of state laws and local ordinances.

“Additionally, we do not collect, nor are we typically aware of, the immigration status of defendants, victims, or witnesses involved in our cases,” Tsehlana said.

Thurston Sheriff keeps focus on his job

The Olympian asked Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders if his office would cooperate with ICE to any degree. He responded plainly.

“We don’t work with ICE,” Sanders said. “I’ve made that answer pretty straight forward because I’ve been getting that question a lot lately.”

The Keep Washington Working Act of 2019 limits the ability of local law enforcement to work with ICE. Sanders said ICE can come and go as they please to do their own work. However, deputies will not inquire about citizenship or report people suspected of being undocumented to ICE.

“We’re not federal police officers, so we don’t enforce federal law,” Sanders said. “We don’t impede federal law. It’s not like I’m going to go to war with ICE. That’s not what we do. But, ultimately, the Sheriff’s Office is focused on individuals who commit crimes against our citizens. Period.”

Still, the Trump administration has threatened to investigate and prosecute local officials who don’t cooperate with their plans for a mass deportation campaign. When asked how he felt about those threats, Sanders reiterated that his office would not work with ICE.

“Our policy forbids it,” Sanders said. “So, if they want to sue me or throw me in jail for that, then they know what county I work in. I’m not too far from the courthouse usually.”

This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Governor, House Speaker say WA is preparing to respond to Trump’s deportation plans."