We’re now wrapping up the third week of this 60-day legislative session, and things are moving quickly. Every day, my colleagues and I are working to pass legislation that puts people first and strengthens our communities. Part of that work is responding to the very real concerns our neighbors are facing.  

Aggressive federal immigration enforcement continues to create fear and uncertainty for many families here in the 5th District. While the state cannot directly control the operations of ICE or other federal agencies, we can take meaningful action to make our communities feel safe, supported, and respected. 

I’m proud to share that Senate Bill 5855 has passed the Senate. This landmark bill prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks while interacting with the public, protecting communities from aggressive, warrantless raids, and promoting transparency, accountability, and trust in law enforcement. 

In addition to SB 5855, several other bills are moving forward to strengthen safety and protect immigrant families across Washington: 

  • SB 6002 – Sets reasonable regulations on automatic license plate reader cameras, like Flock cameras, to prevent their use in immigration enforcement. 
  • SB 5906 – Prohibits immigration enforcement from entering schools, daycare centers, hospitals, and other sensitive locations without a court order, so people can access essential services without fear. 
  • SB 5852 – Requires employers to notify workers about federal I-9 audits, protects against retaliation, limits federal access to employment records, and establishes enforcement mechanisms to ensure workers’ rights are respected. 
  • SB 5876 – Bans unauthorized possession, creation, or use of law enforcement badges or insignias, ensuring that legitimate officers remain clearly identifiable. 
  • SB 6286 – Expands the state Department of Health’s authority to issue fines if private detention facilities, including ICE processing centers, block inspections. Funds from these fines would support families affected by assault, wrongful detention, or other harms caused by ICE. 

These bills are about bringing transparency, accountability, and protection to communities impacted by aggressive federal enforcement. While state legislation can only do so much, your voice matters. True oversight of ICE rests with Congress, so I encourage you to make your voice heard by contacting your U.S. senators and representatives. 

That said, I want to be clear: I stand with our communities, and you can rest assured that we will continue doing everything we can at the state level to protect families, ensure safety, and promote fairness. 

Please stay involved and engaged. You can email me at Victoria.Hunt@leg.wa.gov or call 360-786-7608. You can also stay informed about my work by visiting my website or following me on my official Instagram and Facebook pages for regular updates. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community.    

Sincerely,   

 

Sen. Victoria Hunt   

5th Legislative District