WA Advocates Renew Calls for State to Limit Feds’ Access to License Data
Researchers linked 356 arrests to federal license queries as Washington officials weigh judicial warrants and broader limits on immigration-related access.
- Advocates gathered in Seattle on Tuesday to urge Governor Bob Ferguson to further restrict federal access to Department of Licensing data, arguing current state protections remain inadequate.
- Washington officials previously cut off ICE and Homeland Security Investigations access to the database. Between November 2025 and October 12, the state blocked over 174,000 search attempts from federal agencies, according to the governor's office.
- University of Washington researchers linked 356 arrests to federal license data queries between August 2025 and October 13. Homeland Security agencies searched state records over 1 million times during the year's first five months.
- Ferguson spokesperson Brionna Aho said Tuesday the state is reviewing whether to require judicial warrants for civil immigration requests while maintaining access for public safety investigations.
- As President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign intensifies in Washington, state officials must continuously adapt to federal workarounds while upholding the Keep Washington Working Act, the 2019 law restricting data sharing for civil immigration enforcement.
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21 Articles
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WA advocates renew calls for state to limit feds’ access to license data
State officials have erected several barriers to block immigration authorities from getting data to detain immigrants. Critics say there are still holes.
Washington advocates renew calls for state to limit feds’ access to license data - The Daily Chronicle
SEATTLE — Chris Megargee volunteers at a Shoreline Home Depot to help day laborers frequently targeted by federal immigration authorities. As part of the adopt-a-corner program, Megargee and other volunteers provide breakfast and share information so the workers, who are often noncitizens, know their rights if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents come. Since January, ICE officials have detained half a dozen men there, including one …
WA advocates renew calls for state to limit feds’ access to license data • Washington State Standard
SEATTLE — Chris Megargee volunteers at a Shoreline Home Depot to help day laborers frequently targeted by federal immigration authorities. As part of the adopt-a-corner program, Megargee and other volunteers provide breakfast and share information so the workers, who are often noncitizens, know their rights if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents come. Since January, […]
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