House Judiciary Committee probes Washington state's sanctuary policies

The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan and Representatives Michael Baumgartner and Tom McClintock, is investigating Washington state's sanctuary policies, which they claim obstruct federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety. They have sent a letter to Attorney General Nick Brown demanding documentation on interactions between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities since 2023, including the number of ICE detainers that have been declined. The lawmakers argue that these policies protect dangerous criminal aliens and hinder local law enforcement cooperation with federal officials. In response, Attorney General Brown has filed a lawsuit against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly collaborating with ICE, which he asserts violates state law. The investigation highlights the ongoing conflict between state sanctuary laws and federal immigration priorities. This scrutiny reflects broader tensions stemming from the Trump administration's immigration policies and local jurisdictions' responses to them.