ICE Out: Heated debate on bill to bar hiring of ICE agents
OLYMPIA [CASSIE DIAMOND]—Lawmakers clashed during a public hearing for a bill that would prohibit Washington law enforcement agencies from employing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers hired after Trump’s second-term inauguration. During a House Community Safety Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 29, the division between Democratic and Republican legislators regarding their stances towards ICE was made […]
Democrats’ no-mask bill is unenforceable, distracts from real issues
Whether officials in our state like it or not, federal officers have a responsibility to enforce federal laws. That doesn’t change just because the enforcement efforts have unforeseen consequences, such as the tragic deaths of two people in Minnesota over a recent 17-day period. Many in the public have seen the disturbing videos of the […]
WA Senate passes ban on police face coverings
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—The Washington state Senate voted Wednesday to ban law enforcement from covering their faces in response to growing concerns over masked federal immigration agents. Senate Bill 5855 would cover local, state and federal law enforcement, with limited exceptions for uses like personal protective equipment and undercover or SWAT operations. The proposal is sure to […]
Federal judge allows sharing of immigrant Medicaid data with ICE
SAN FRANCISCO—A federal judge ruled Monday that states must share basic personal information, including citizenship status, about undocumented immigrants enrolled in Medicaid with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation efforts, but barred the exchange of sensitive health records. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, partially upholds a President Donald J Trump’s […]
DHS now offering $3,000 through end of 2025 to self-deport, AI Bounty Hunters deployed
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Department of Homeland Security is offering illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of 2025 a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home—up from the $1,000 it had offered. Using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties […]
Senator Murray condemns ‘horrific’ ICE Dog attack on Vancouver father
VANCOUVER—United States Senator Patty Murray on Friday, December 5, denounced the November 14 arrest of Vancouver resident Wilmer Toledo-Martinez as a “violent and unwarranted assault,” releasing graphic photos of deep gashes across the 28-year-old father’s body and demanding his immediate release from federal immigration detention. Toledo-Martinez is married to a U.S. citizen and has three […]
Seattle pushes Olympia for funding on housing, public safety and immigrant aid
[The Center Square]—Seattle is pushing for a state-level backstop to help fund immigrant services and other top priorities as the Trump administration escalates federal immigration enforcement nationwide. The Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations briefed the city council on a proposed state legislative agenda for next year’s session during a council briefing on Monday. Priorities ranged from public […]
Somebody’s watching me: Flock versus red light cameras in Lynnwood
LYNNWOOD—In reaction to several members of the community voicing their concerns that the City of Lynnwood’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology may have been accessed for immigration-related queries at its October 24 meeting, the Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) announced last week that it temporarily paused the law enforcement tool known as Flock Safey cameras citing public […]
Tacoma Candidate Forum unites diverse Voices in civil dialogue on affordability, safety, and voting power
TACOMA—The Greater Seattle Korean Association (GSKA) held a candidate forum for Tacoma and Pierce County on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The candidates were mostly on their best behavior — with only two noted criticisms lobbied at an opponent during the roughly two-hour forum — keeping in theme with the event’s “One Heart, Many Voices” message. “Greater […]
Lynnwood police chief says state law ties the hands of police in illegal immigration enforcement
LYNNWOOD—In a message to residents on Friday, Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon shared that the Keep Washington Working Act prevents law enforcement from assisting in immigration enforcement. Last Friday, Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn shared a similar stance. Below is his community message in its entirety: As your Chief of Police, I want to take a moment to reaffirm the […]
