Governor Ferguson continues to defy demands from the Trump Administration to end Washington’s “sanctuary state” policies. 

But lawmakers say there’s one place here where protections for immigrants are falling short: state prisons.

That, says Tacoma state Representative Sharlett Mena, means the state isn’t doing everything it could to keep Washingtonians safe.

According to reporting from the Washington State Standard, dozens of lawmakers are calling for the state Department of Corrections to change the way it interacts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

That effort may see some headwinds, however. Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown both say they don’t see any need to alter state policy.

Guests:
Washington State Standard reporter Jake Goldstein-Street

Related stories:
Washington governor and AG stand by state prison notifications to ICE - Washington State Standard
As DOJ threatens WA over sanctuary laws, state officials double down on protections - KUOW

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Governor Ferguson continues to defy demands from the Trump Administration to end Washington&rsquo;s &ldquo;sanctuary state&rdquo; policies. But lawmakers say there&rsquo;s one place here where protections for immigrants are falling short: state prisons.
That, says Tacoma state Representative Sharlett Mena, means the state isn&rsquo;t doing everything it could to keep Washingtonians safe.
According to reporting from the Washington State Standard, dozens of lawmakers are calling for the state Department of Corrections to change the way it interacts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.&nbsp;
That effort may see some headwinds, however. Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown both say they don&rsquo;t see any need to alter state policy.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Washington State Standard reporter Jake Goldstein-Street</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/22/washington-governor-and-ag-stand-by-state-prison-notifications-to-ice/">Washington governor and AG stand by state prison notifications to ICE - Washington State Standard</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/wa-officials-respond-to-doj-letter-threatening-state-over-sanctuary-policies">As DOJ threatens WA over sanctuary laws, state officials double down on protections - KUOW</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/scott-greenstone"></a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a> Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Governor Ferguson continues to defy demands from the Trump Administration to end Washington’s “sanctuary state” policies.  But lawmakers say there’s one place here where protections for immigrants are falling short: state prisons.

Advertisement