SPOKANE — A Spokane County Superior Court judge ruled today that the Adams County Sheriff’s office violated Washington State law by collaborating with federal immigration officials. A press release from the state Attorney General said, “The judge found Adams County violated the state [sic] Keep Washington Working Act in multiple ways.”
The Keep Washington Working Act, RCW 10.93.160, was signed into law in 2019. It prohibits state and local agencies from using public resources to assist or participate in civil immigration enforcement.
The court ruled that the act is not unconstitutional, as no superseding federal law requires state and local agencies to assist or participate in immigration enforcement.
The court also entered a permanent injunction against the sheriff’s office, prohibiting the county from engaging in the illegal conduct. The agency is also ordered to revise its policies to align with the Attorney General’s Office model guidance on the law, and to retrain staff.
The ACSO did not revise its policies as required by the Keep Washington Working Act.
Regardless, ACSO’s patrol policy says deputies “may” detain persons believed to have violated criminal laws regarding entering or staying in the United States illegally. It specifically states that a deputy should not detain a person for any length of time if they are subject to civil immigration enforcement or warrants.
The court ruled that the Sheriff’s Office violated the law by sending daily intake lists to immigration officials, sharing anticipated release times, and giving federal immigration authorities access to interview an individual in its custody about a noncriminal matter without first obtaining the individual’s written consent.
The ruling also revealed that Sheriff Dale Wagner has never received training on the Keep Washington Working Act or federal immigration law.
In a social media post on the ACSO Facebook page, Sheriff Wagner said he intends to appeal the decision. “I respect the judicial process, but respecting that process does not mean we must agree with every ruling. We intend to pursue the appropriate legal avenues to challenge this decision and defend what we believe is our responsibility to protect our residents,” Wagner said.
Click here to read the court’s full ruling.
