OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said Monday the state will not alter its immigration policies despite pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and threats from Attorney General Pam Bondi that sanctuary jurisdictions could face lawsuits, loss of federal funding, and even criminal charges for local officials.
The announcement came after the DOJ released a list of states and cities with sanctuary policies, naming Washington, Seattle, Oregon, and Portland, among others.
DOJ’s Warning
In a press conference, Bondi sharply criticized sanctuary policies, arguing they undermine federal law enforcement and endanger public safety.
“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” Bondi said. “The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”
Bondi went further, warning that state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement could face criminal charges.
The DOJ has given Ferguson and other leaders until the end of the day Monday to comply or risk losing significant federal funding.
Washington’s Response
Ferguson made clear the state will not back down.
“The federal government’s relentless targeting of law-abiding immigrants is wrong,” Ferguson said in a statement. “Protecting hardworking Washingtonians who are abiding by our state laws and keeping families together reflects our values as a state.”
Ferguson emphasized that Washington’s sanctuary laws do not violate federal law but instead ensure that local resources are directed toward community safety and state priorities, not federal immigration crackdowns.
Oregon Joins Washington in Pushback
Neighboring Oregon also rejected Bondi’s demands. The governor’s office issued a statement asserting that the state will not be “bullied into doing the federal government’s job of immigration enforcement.”
Oregon, like Washington, has laws limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, particularly when it comes to detaining individuals solely on civil immigration violations.
Seattle’s Position
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also weighed in, saying the city is reviewing the DOJ’s letter but disagrees strongly with its claims.
“Once again, the Trump Administration continues to target ‘sanctuary cities’ and perpetuate a narrative about our communities and laws that are furthest from the truth,” Harrell said. “Immigration enforcement is the exclusive responsibility of the federal government. The City neither interferes with nor carries out those federal duties.”
Harrell added that Seattle’s policies are designed to protect the safety, privacy, and constitutional rights of all residents. “We remain committed to our local values, including being a welcoming city for all. We will continue to defend our residents and our rights — and we will not hesitate to do so in court.”
Broader National Pushback
Other cities also signaled they would resist. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu delivered a sharp rebuke of the administration’s demands.
“Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures,” Wu said. “Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law and Boston will not back down from who we are and what we stand for. We’ve watched Donald Trump send the National Guard into L.A. and D.C. to stoke fear and disorder. Boston stands with these cities as they sue over his abuse of power.”
Funding at Risk
The DOJ’s threat to cut federal funding to noncompliant jurisdictions could have wide-reaching effects. Washington receives hundreds of millions of dollars annually from federal grants, some tied to law enforcement and public safety.
Ferguson, however, argued that previous attempts to strip sanctuary jurisdictions of funding have largely failed in court. “The Constitution is on our side,” he said. “We are prepared to defend our values and our residents against federal overreach.”
Sanctuary Debate Intensifies
The clash underscores a longstanding debate over sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. Proponents argue these policies build trust between immigrant communities and police, encouraging victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of deportation.
Opponents, including Bondi, contend they allow dangerous individuals to remain in communities, posing risks to public safety.
What’s Next
With Washington, Oregon, Seattle, Portland, and Boston all signaling defiance, a legal showdown appears imminent. Lawsuits challenging the federal government’s authority to penalize sanctuary jurisdictions are expected, adding to an already contentious national debate.
For now, Ferguson and other leaders say they remain steadfast. “We will not be intimidated,” Ferguson said. “Our responsibility is to protect Washington families and uphold the values of our state. We won’t back down.”
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