Washington Gov. Ferguson Rejects Federal Threats Over State Immigration Law

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has firmly rejected threats from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, appointed by President Donald Trump, who warned that the state’s immigration policies, specifically the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act, violate federal law and could result in criminal prosecution or withholding of federal funds. Ferguson, supported by lawmakers and community leaders, stated Washington will not divert resources from public safety or weaken its sanctuary policies, emphasizing that the threats are politically motivated and legally baseless. Bondi's letter accused sanctuary jurisdictions of undermining cooperation between federal and local law enforcement and hindering immigration enforcement efforts. Ferguson responded that the letter lacked specific legal basis and vowed to defend the state's laws and values, calling the threats an embarrassment to the Attorney General’s office. The dispute highlights the broader conflict between Washington state’s approach to immigration enforcement and the Trump administration’s efforts to increase deportations. Local officials, including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, also received similar warnings, underscoring the national scope of the conflict over sanctuary policies.