OLYMPIA – Sen. Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) filed legislation Wednesday to strengthen protections for students (in public schools, colleges, and universities), childcare workers, patients in health care settings, and more against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids without warrants.    

“We want people to go to school, work at a daycare, and go see a doctor without looking over their shoulder and wondering if ICE is going to come pick them up without a warrant,” Hansen said. “People have enough to worry about without adding the worry that ICE might show up inside a school or a hospital or a college without a warrant and take them away.”   

The Secure and Accountable Federal Enforcement (SAFE) Act, SB 5906, clarifies that immigration enforcement officers must have a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, or court order before entering nonpublic areas of early learning centers, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, health care facilities, and election offices. ICE typically uses administrative warrants, which only require approval from an ICE officer or official and are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as a judicial warrant. 

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed the bipartisan Keep Washington Working Act (KWW). KWW made numerous changes to ensure “the state of Washington remains a place where the rights and dignity of all residents are maintained and protected in order to keep Washington working.” The SAFE Act expands and codifies model policies developed by the state attorney general regarding cooperation with federal immigration enforcement at or near K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and publicly operated health care facilities. It also extends protections for people working at, visiting, or seeking services from hospitals, childcare and early learning facilities, and election offices. 

“In Washington state, we believe communities are stronger when people aren’t forced to live in fear. The SAFE Act is about making sure parents can take their kids to daycare, students can go to school, and families can seek medical care without worrying that a routine part of life will turn into an ICE raid,” said Jake García, policy director at the Latino Community Fund of Washington State. “The SAFE Act doesn’t stop enforcement; it sets clear boundaries, so families aren’t torn apart in the very places meant to keep them safe.” 

The legislation establishes clear standards that limit the collection and disclosure of personal information in early learning centers, K-12 public schools, higher education institutions, and health care facilities, consistent with state and federal law. 

The legislation also outlines how these places should respond if immigration officials request access to nonpublic spaces or information. For example, higher education institutions must notify the office of the president if immigration officers are expected on campus, are entering, or have entered campus. If a student or employee is taken into custody, an emergency contact must be notified immediately.   

“Classrooms should be a space for learning, not fear. Students deserve to be able to pursue their education without the worry of being detained,” said Vanessa Ponce, executive director of the Washington Student Association. “Students should not have to worry about themselves or their peers being targeted and their education being disrupted.”  

Under the bill, colleges and universities must maintain a free, up-to-date list of immigration legal service providers for students and prominently post and regularly email guidance on immigration rights and responses. It also requires early learning providers and K-12 public schools to provide parents with immigration enforcement “Know Your Rights” information from the state attorney general’s office. 

The 2026 legislative session begins Jan. 12.   

 

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