A Spokane County judge has found that Adams County violated Washington law by sharing jail information with federal immigration authorities and allowing an interview with a person in custody without the required consent.
The Nov. 13 ruling concerns the Keep Washington Working Act, the 2019 law that limits state and local law enforcement involvement in civil immigration enforcement. For readers in Snohomish and Island counties, the case offers a closer look at rules that apply across Washington.
Superior Court Judge Marla L. Polin signed the findings after a two-day trial in July. The court’s findings and conclusions identify four violations:
- Sending federal immigration officials daily lists of newly booked people that were not publicly available at the time.
- Sharing the anticipated release dates and times of people in custody in response to immigration notification requests.
- Allowing a federal immigration interview in a noncriminal matter without first obtaining the person’s written consent.
- Failing to adopt written policies consistent with the law and the Attorney General’s guidance.
The Attorney General’s Office said the court also entered a permanent injunction requiring the county to revise its policies and train staff.
What the law covers
State law generally bars local agencies from providing nonpublic personal information to federal immigration authorities in noncriminal matters, with exceptions for disclosures required by law or a lawfully issued court order. It also sets consent rules for certain interviews with people in custody. Those rules include explaining that an interview is voluntary and that the person may decline or request their attorney’s presence.
The county argued that an injunction was unnecessary because the Sheriff’s Office had stopped sending the booking lists and the sheriff had issued a verbal directive. Polin concluded that the county’s remaining written policies allowed violations to recur.
The findings address Adams County’s conduct. The underlying law applies to state and local agencies throughout Washington.
