Gov. Bob Ferguson said Washington “will not be bullied” after US Attorney General Pam Bondi threatened state officials with criminal prosecution over sanctuary protections.
Bondi’s letter, sent late last week, accused Washington of violating federal law through “sanctuary policies and practices.” Without citing specifics, she warned that officials “using their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement” could face prosecution.
Ferguson, flanked at the Capitol by lawmakers, cabinet members, and advocacy groups, dismissed the threat during remarks Tuesday, Aug. 19.
“You seem to believe that cavalierly citing criminal statutes and personally threatening me, a democratically elected governor, will result in compromising the values of my state. Never,” Ferguson wrote in a response letter.
Federal Warning
Bondi’s letter accused Washington of adopting “so-called sanctuary policies” that obstruct federal enforcement and allow immigrants “cover to perpetrate crimes.”
She warned that local and state leaders who use “their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts” could face criminal prosecution. Bondi also said jurisdictions in violation of federal immigration law could lose access to grants, contracts, and other federal funds.
“You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States,” Bondi wrote. “This ends now.”
She had ordered Ferguson to respond by Tuesday, confirming Washington’s commitment to comply with federal law and detailing “immediate initiatives” to roll back sanctuary measures.
Lawmakers Back Ferguson
Democratic legislators defended Ferguson and pointed to the Keep Washington Working Act, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Democratic State Sen. Lisa Wellman, of Mercer Island, said the federal letter reflects “total disregard of due process” and vowed that state leaders would not help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “terrorize our communities of color.”
Democratic State Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, of Mukilteo, argued the law enhances public safety by allowing police to focus on crime. She noted that immigrants strengthen Washington’s economy across sectors including agriculture, healthcare, and technology.
“Pam Bondi wants fear,” Ortiz-Self said. “Washington state wants fairness.”
