By Anthony Smith
A new proposal in the Washington Legislature would block state and local law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone who joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Jan. 20, 2025. House Bill 2641, also known as the ICE Out Act of 2026, is part of a broader push to shield immigrant communities from what some lawmakers see as federal overreach and civil rights violations.
The restriction would apply not only to general law enforcement but also to limited authority agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Corrections, and Department of Labor and Industries, among others.
Rep. Tarra Simmons, a Democrat from Kitsap County, introduced the bill after learning of similar legislation proposed in Maryland. Simmons said conversations with members of the local Latino community also helped motivate the proposal.
“People in our districts are terrified, outraged, and begging us to protect them right now,” said Simmons. “There isn’t much that we can do, but this is one thing that we can do.”
Simmons pointed to recent incidents involving ICE agents, specifically referencing a string of murders in Minnesota, as evidence of growing fear. Simmons said Washington must take steps to ensure individuals with that background do not enter local law enforcement ranks.
“It would be naive of us not to prepare for a possibility of federal intervention here,” said Simmons. “We cannot allow anyone with experience or a history of violating people’s rights to join our law enforcement agencies.”
Simmons described the current relationship between law enforcement and residents in Kitsap County as the strongest she has ever witnessed. Simmons said the goal of the legislation is to preserve that trust by preventing hires that could compromise public confidence.
“Our law enforcement wants to stand up and protect us against any federal overreach, and we can’t afford to take a step back by hiring individuals who are steeped in culture of lawlessness,” said Simmons.
Simmons acknowledged that some sheriffs in Washington have expressed interest in working with ICE in ways that conflict with existing state law. The Keep Washington Working Act, passed in 2019, limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement.
“I know recruitment is a high priority and it’s very important to all of our communities,” said Simmons. “We absolutely need more officers, but we do not want to risk endangering our communities with law enforcement officers who are comfortable with violating our Washington laws.”
Although no one publicly testified against HB 2641, Simmons was asked why individuals would be disqualified for joining ICE when that choice remains constitutionally protected employment.
“I believe that a person that sees what’s going on right now and signs up for that, wants to be a part of that, we have questions about their character of that individual,” said Simmons.
Simmons was also asked why this bill is necessary rather than simply modifying background checks or hiring policies through the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC).
“I’ve already asked the CJTC about additional layers of background checks for people who are signing up for this,” said Simmons.
Simmons says that the legislation aims to protect public confidence and preserve the progress made in community-police relations across the state.
“We have worked so hard to build trust with our law enforcement in Washington,” said Simmons. “I have seen it develop and grow. The police feel safe that they’re going to protect them from this federal overreach coming. We want to keep that. I want to keep that.”
House Bill 2641 is scheduled for an executive hearing in the House committee on Feb. 3.