Washington plans to coordinate with other sanctuary states like California and Oregon, although no direct talks have occurred yet, to oppose federal efforts.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has strongly defended the state's sanctuary policies, particularly the Keep Washington Working Act of 2019, which limits local law enforcement from sharing immigration status information unless related to criminal activity.

Ferguson rejected threats from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who warned of withholding federal funding and prosecuting officials, asserting that Washington will not be bullied and will uphold its laws through legal means.

The sanctuary law aims to support sectors like agriculture, where a significant portion of farmworkers are believed to be undocumented, despite the Trump administration's failure to provide a legal pathway for farmworker status.

The Trump administration has sued multiple sanctuary jurisdictions, including Washington, alleging their laws violate federal mandates for local law enforcement to share immigration information, though some lawsuits have been dismissed.

Despite legal challenges, federal immigration arrests in Washington have increased sharply since the start of Trump's presidency, with June arrests reaching their highest levels since January.

This ongoing conflict highlights the broader debate over local immigration policies, federal funding, and the legal authority of sanctuary jurisdictions.

In April, President Trump signed an executive order that listed 35 sanctuary jurisdictions, including Washington, as part of efforts to enforce compliance and threaten federal funding cuts.

Unlike in California, ICE has largely avoided targeting farms in Washington, allowing farmworkers to continue working without significant disruptions.

Washington officials, including Ferguson, are exploring legal options amid tensions with the Trump administration, which has sought to increase immigration enforcement and threaten funding cuts.

State lawmakers and immigrant advocates emphasize that sanctuary policies are vital for protecting immigrant communities and maintaining public safety, asserting that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell and other officials criticize the federal approach, arguing that law enforcement resources should focus on issues like violent crime rather than immigration enforcement.

There are discussions about deploying National Guard troops in Washington, similar to actions in D.C. and Los Angeles, with Ferguson exploring legal options.