LAWS AND LEGISLATION
2025
Everyone in the United States has rights, regardless of citizenship or immgration status. Today, those rights may be challenged, but JCIRA pledges to do what we can to ensure justice for everyone. Read about proposed legislation, new laws, and court actions below.
FIRST, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
What can you do if any police officer, immigration agent (ICE and Border Patrol), or other government official wants to talk with you or shows up at your home. Find out here.
In Washington state, the Keep Washington Working Act, passed in 2019, prohibits law enforcement officers to ask or collect information about immigration status.
What can you do if any police officer, immigration agent (ICE and Border Patrol), or other government official wants to talk with you or shows up at your home. Find out here.
In Washington state, the Keep Washington Working Act, passed in 2019, prohibits law enforcement officers to ask or collect information about immigration status.
GET UPDATES ON EXECUTIVE ORDERS, COURT CASES, AND MORE HERE.
JCIRA's Federal Legislation/Policy Tracking Team offers updates on executive orders, policies, and court cases. Check out the latest reports.
If you'd like to help track executive actions, court cases, and legislation, volunteer to help here.
If you'd like to help track executive actions, court cases, and legislation, volunteer to help here.
SUPPORT THIS FEDERAL LEGISLATION
The bills noted below will restore the protections that prevent ICE and Border Patrol agents from immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, such as schools, hospitals, and churches. Those protetions were removed by the current administration, so it's important to show support for their reinstatement by law.
In the House of Representatives, H.R. 5166 was introduced by Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY 13) along with several others in Congress, including Pramila Jayapal (D-WA 7). A similar bill, S. 455 was filed in the Senate by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). As Senator Blumenthal says, “Allowing ICE to invade spaces where people access health care, education, justice, and prayer is cruel and unnecessary, as well as a threat to public safety. When people are too frightened to seek medical care or report a crime, the entire community suffers.”
Read this fact sheet to find out what protections remain and what communities can do.
Contact Representative Emily Randall to express support for H.R. 5166.
Contact Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to advocate for S. 455.
Although contacting our own elected representatives directly is strongly recommended, you can also sign this letter from Mom's Rising to tell Congress to support the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.
In the House of Representatives, H.R. 5166 was introduced by Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY 13) along with several others in Congress, including Pramila Jayapal (D-WA 7). A similar bill, S. 455 was filed in the Senate by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). As Senator Blumenthal says, “Allowing ICE to invade spaces where people access health care, education, justice, and prayer is cruel and unnecessary, as well as a threat to public safety. When people are too frightened to seek medical care or report a crime, the entire community suffers.”
Read this fact sheet to find out what protections remain and what communities can do.
Contact Representative Emily Randall to express support for H.R. 5166.
Contact Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to advocate for S. 455.
Although contacting our own elected representatives directly is strongly recommended, you can also sign this letter from Mom's Rising to tell Congress to support the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.
UPDATE ON THE LATEST WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2025 state budget signed by Governor Ferguson includes funds for immigrants.
The new Washington state budget signed into law by the governor on May 20, includes the following support for immigrants and asylum seekers:
More victories! Washington state bills that were signed into law.
Governor Ferguson signed House Bill 1232 into law! Specifically, the law empowers the Washington State Department of Health to inspect private detention centers, including the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. The Tacoma detention center has been notorious for its treatment of detainees, including reporting that the food and health conditions have greatly deteriorated, making the residents there ill. With these new law, the health department can inspect the facility unannounced to make sure that minimum health and safety standards are being met, including those for access to clean drinking water, food safety, and medical care.
Two other bills supported by immigrant rights organizations were signed into law by the governor after passage by the 2025 session of the Washington State Legislature:
Rent Stabilization (HB1217/SB5222)
This statewide rent stabilization act limits rent increases for current tenants to 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower. The law is intended to prevent sudden large rent increases that can upend family finances.
Keeping Outside Militias From Entering Washington State (HB1321)
This new law grants the governor the authority to prohibit out-of-state National Guard troops from other states, territories, or districts from entering Washington state, unless mobilized by the president. Because other state governors have sent National Guard troops outside their own states, this law offers some protection against such actions.
Those are victories we must celebrate!
Although the following bills did not pass this session, though they may be reintroduced next year:
Unemployment Insurance for Undocumented Workers (HB1773/5626)
The bill would have created and funded an unemployment program for undocumented workers.
Health Equity for Immigrants (HB1482)
The bill would have ensured coverage for all eligible low-income immigrants and refugees with full funding.
Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (SB5023/HB1561)
If passed into law, this bill would have provided labor market protections for domestic workers, including health, safety, and wage protections.
We shall keep advocating for all of these protections.
The new Washington state budget signed into law by the governor on May 20, includes the following support for immigrants and asylum seekers:
- $153 million for Apple Health Expansion to continue support for low-income immigrants without legal status.
- $25 milllion for the Migrant & Asylum Seeker Support Program to continue to support basic needs for people who recently arrived in the U.S. and who do not qualify for federal refugee assistance.
- $18 million for immigration legal services that provides legal representation to people navigating the immigration courts, including those in detention.
More victories! Washington state bills that were signed into law.
Governor Ferguson signed House Bill 1232 into law! Specifically, the law empowers the Washington State Department of Health to inspect private detention centers, including the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. The Tacoma detention center has been notorious for its treatment of detainees, including reporting that the food and health conditions have greatly deteriorated, making the residents there ill. With these new law, the health department can inspect the facility unannounced to make sure that minimum health and safety standards are being met, including those for access to clean drinking water, food safety, and medical care.
Two other bills supported by immigrant rights organizations were signed into law by the governor after passage by the 2025 session of the Washington State Legislature:
Rent Stabilization (HB1217/SB5222)
This statewide rent stabilization act limits rent increases for current tenants to 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower. The law is intended to prevent sudden large rent increases that can upend family finances.
Keeping Outside Militias From Entering Washington State (HB1321)
This new law grants the governor the authority to prohibit out-of-state National Guard troops from other states, territories, or districts from entering Washington state, unless mobilized by the president. Because other state governors have sent National Guard troops outside their own states, this law offers some protection against such actions.
Those are victories we must celebrate!
Although the following bills did not pass this session, though they may be reintroduced next year:
Unemployment Insurance for Undocumented Workers (HB1773/5626)
The bill would have created and funded an unemployment program for undocumented workers.
Health Equity for Immigrants (HB1482)
The bill would have ensured coverage for all eligible low-income immigrants and refugees with full funding.
Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (SB5023/HB1561)
If passed into law, this bill would have provided labor market protections for domestic workers, including health, safety, and wage protections.
We shall keep advocating for all of these protections.
IMPORTANT WINS IN COURT!
Washington wins lawsuit against GEO
In October 2023, a Washington won a federal lawsuit against the GEO Group (GEO) that runs the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. Then Attorney General (now Governor) Bob Ferguson had sued GEO for its violation of Washington state's minimum wage law by forcing detainees at the center to work at for only $1 per day cleaning, cooking, and performing other duties. The jury decided that the multi-billion dollar company must pay all of its workers the minimum wage of $13.69 an hour or more. The violations went back more than 15 years, and the court directed GEO to pay $13.7 million to more than 10,000 individuals. The state was also awarded $5.9 million. Then, on January 16, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict.
Although this court case may still be appealed, and it may take years to totally resolve, this is an enormous victory for immigrants and for our community as a whole.
Restraining order issued on Trump's birthright citizenship denial
A federal judge issued a nationwide temporary restraining order against Donald Trump's unconstitutional attempt to deny birthright citizenship to children of immigrants born in the United States on January 23. This order means that federal agencies cannot implement the president's executive order while the case is under consideration. The judge castigated the administration's attorneys for even bringing the case before the court. He said, "I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar would state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order. It just boggles my mind.”
The administration signaled that it will appeal, and this and the other cases filed against the executive order will likely eventually go to the Supreme Court. Still, it's a victory to celebrate!
Washington wins lawsuit against GEO
In October 2023, a Washington won a federal lawsuit against the GEO Group (GEO) that runs the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. Then Attorney General (now Governor) Bob Ferguson had sued GEO for its violation of Washington state's minimum wage law by forcing detainees at the center to work at for only $1 per day cleaning, cooking, and performing other duties. The jury decided that the multi-billion dollar company must pay all of its workers the minimum wage of $13.69 an hour or more. The violations went back more than 15 years, and the court directed GEO to pay $13.7 million to more than 10,000 individuals. The state was also awarded $5.9 million. Then, on January 16, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict.
Although this court case may still be appealed, and it may take years to totally resolve, this is an enormous victory for immigrants and for our community as a whole.
Restraining order issued on Trump's birthright citizenship denial
A federal judge issued a nationwide temporary restraining order against Donald Trump's unconstitutional attempt to deny birthright citizenship to children of immigrants born in the United States on January 23. This order means that federal agencies cannot implement the president's executive order while the case is under consideration. The judge castigated the administration's attorneys for even bringing the case before the court. He said, "I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar would state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order. It just boggles my mind.”
The administration signaled that it will appeal, and this and the other cases filed against the executive order will likely eventually go to the Supreme Court. Still, it's a victory to celebrate!
Thank you for your support!
NEW FEDERAL LAW CHALLENGES CONSTITUTION
Immigration advocates were disheartened when the first bill sent to Trump to sign was the Laken-Riley Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives and Senate within days after Trump was inaugurated. The new law would require that anyone who entered the U.S. without a green card, non-immigrant, or tourist visa who is arrested for or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, or assault on a law enforcement officer and other violent crimes must be detained by the Department of Homeland Security. The law would also give states the right to sue the federal government for failures in immigration enforcement.
Among the problems with this new law include the fact that it not only applies to those convicted of crimes, but who are arrested, eliminating the due process of individuals who should be entitled to a hearing, since an arrest is not the same as a conviction. Those opposed are also concerned that this law would give states more power over immigration. The Constitutional issues will be raised in court, so this is a law to keep an eye on.
Immigration advocates were disheartened when the first bill sent to Trump to sign was the Laken-Riley Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives and Senate within days after Trump was inaugurated. The new law would require that anyone who entered the U.S. without a green card, non-immigrant, or tourist visa who is arrested for or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, or assault on a law enforcement officer and other violent crimes must be detained by the Department of Homeland Security. The law would also give states the right to sue the federal government for failures in immigration enforcement.
Among the problems with this new law include the fact that it not only applies to those convicted of crimes, but who are arrested, eliminating the due process of individuals who should be entitled to a hearing, since an arrest is not the same as a conviction. Those opposed are also concerned that this law would give states more power over immigration. The Constitutional issues will be raised in court, so this is a law to keep an eye on.
LOCAL AND STATE SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS
Governor Ferguson Creates Rapid Response Team
Governor Bob Ferguson is creating a Rapid Response team to support children who face separation from their parents or caregivers. Aimed at reducing harms caused by Trump's immigration policies, the executive order establishing the team brings agencies and schools together to help. "My administration will do everything possible to address the harms caused by a mass deportation and detention program," Ferguson said. Learn more here.
State and Local School Officials Offer Support
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal released guidance on protections for immigrant students in K-12 public schools. The instructions include following state law that prohibits the sharing of student information with immigration authorities. “In Washington state, we will do everything we can to protect our students, no matter their citizenship status,” Reykdal said. Find out more about the guidlines for schools here.
Linda Rosenbury, Superintendent of Port Townsend School District also notified parents of rules that keep our schools free of hate, unfair treatment, and discrimination. All students, regardless of immigration status, have the right to an education in Washington state. Dr. Rosenbury provided links to state and local policies and procedures that support the commitment to our students and prohibit information-sharing with immigration officials unless they have a warrant signed bIy a judge. Here are the links;
Policy 3226, on interviews of students on school premises.
Policy 3210, on nondiscrimination.
Policy 4301, on limiting immigration enforcement.
Policy 5010, on employee nondiscrimination.
Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools.
Protections for Immigrant Students in Washington's K-12 schools.
Photo credit: Tingey Law Firm on Unsplash
Governor Ferguson Creates Rapid Response Team
Governor Bob Ferguson is creating a Rapid Response team to support children who face separation from their parents or caregivers. Aimed at reducing harms caused by Trump's immigration policies, the executive order establishing the team brings agencies and schools together to help. "My administration will do everything possible to address the harms caused by a mass deportation and detention program," Ferguson said. Learn more here.
State and Local School Officials Offer Support
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal released guidance on protections for immigrant students in K-12 public schools. The instructions include following state law that prohibits the sharing of student information with immigration authorities. “In Washington state, we will do everything we can to protect our students, no matter their citizenship status,” Reykdal said. Find out more about the guidlines for schools here.
Linda Rosenbury, Superintendent of Port Townsend School District also notified parents of rules that keep our schools free of hate, unfair treatment, and discrimination. All students, regardless of immigration status, have the right to an education in Washington state. Dr. Rosenbury provided links to state and local policies and procedures that support the commitment to our students and prohibit information-sharing with immigration officials unless they have a warrant signed bIy a judge. Here are the links;
Policy 3226, on interviews of students on school premises.
Policy 3210, on nondiscrimination.
Policy 4301, on limiting immigration enforcement.
Policy 5010, on employee nondiscrimination.
Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools.
Protections for Immigrant Students in Washington's K-12 schools.
Photo credit: Tingey Law Firm on Unsplash
