Know your rights - Civil immigration enforcement in Washington

Know your rights

Immigration enforcement is the sole responsibility of the federal government. Washington state law and King County Code significantly restrict DAJD’s cooperation with federal authorities engaged in civil immigration enforcement.

• We do not ask people in custody, nor their visitors, about their immigration or citizenship status, or where they were born.
• King County jails will not hold someone in custody solely on a civil immigration detainer. King County jails will only honor criminal warrants pertaining to immigration enforcement that are signed by a U.S. District Court Judge or federal magistrate judge.
• DAJD will not allow federal authorities engaged in civil immigration enforcement, their officers, agents or representatives access to non-public areas of the jails or other DAJD facilities. DAJD will not allow them access to a resident or detained youth without a criminal warrant issued by a U.S. District Court judge or magistrate.

Below, you can find links to immigration resources:

• Keep Washington Working Act – Frequently Asked Questions
• King County Code 2.15 Immigrant, Refugee, and Language Access Ordinance
• King County Language Access Program

Additional immigration resources:

• Resources - King County, Washington
• Washington State Attorney General – Know your rights, civil immigration enforcement