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.
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!
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
