Liberal lawmakers are out in full force in the Evergreen State. Their target? Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), of course. Washington Democrats have been flinging bills, one after another, to thwart ICE agents. Everything from banning masks to prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agents, the powers that be are determined to show their constituents just how much they care about illegal and even criminal illegal immigrants in their neighborhoods. The newest bill being considered would prohibit ICE agents from becoming cops in the state.
No Career Path for Washington ICE Agents
House Bill 2641, known as the ICE Out Act of 2026, introduced by Tarra Simmons and co-sponsored by Shaun Scott, both Democrats, would prevent ICE agents who served on or after January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump began his second term, from becoming police officers in the state.
“In this Washington, we have worked incredibly hard to build trust between law enforcement and community,” Simmons said in a press release. “In most Washington agencies, the men and women who step up to serve have developed a culture of holding each other accountable to the highest professional standards. The last thing we need is infiltration of ICE agents trained during the Trump Administration to send us backwards.”
Simmons claims this is not a political move, justifying the proposed bill by saying: “I think the people who are signing up to be part of this administration’s immigration enforcement and the tactics they’re using across Washington is really concerning, and I don’t want people that are trained in that culture to come and infiltrate our culture.”
Not everyone agrees. Republican Rep. Brian Burnett, a former Chelan County sheriff, spoke out against the proposal in a statement calling it a “discriminatory proposal” that moves the state in the wrong direction, The Seattle Times noted. “Washington ranks last in the nation for law enforcement officers per capita, yet this bill would arbitrarily shrink an already limited recruiting pool by barring qualified professionals based solely on prior federal service.”
On a side note, who is Tarra Simmons? She has prior felony convictions and served prison time for theft, narcotics, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Last year, the Democrat proposed a bill to give a pathway to certain felons to restore their firearm rights, including those with drug convictions. A judge vacated her record in 2023 “under a 2019 state law that modified the criteria for clearing criminal convictions,” The Times reported.
The Center Square pointed out that an ethics complaint was filed against Simmons a few weeks ago over donations she made to a Nevada nonprofit “with which she allegedly has personal ties.” Rep. Jim Walsh, who chairs the Washington State Republican Party, believes that HB 2641 is political and that Simmons is using this proposed bill to try and earn points with her constituents. “She's in trouble with her own base, so she's throwing them some red meat by Trump,” Walsh said.
He questioned whether there is any benefit to HB 2641 and thinks it violates the equal protection clause. “We can say this about many anti-discrimination laws, but this one is egregious,” Walsh told The Center Square. “Why do politicians get to pick and choose who can be discriminated against and who can’t?”
Simmons responded to the outlet via email: “No. I do not see this as discriminatory towards any political affiliation. I am deeply concerned about inviting anyone into Washington law enforcement who is comfortable with participating in the kidnappings and violence that is currently being inflicted upon our neighbors via the tactics that ICE officers use.”
The War on ICE
Banning ICE agents from becoming state law enforcement officers is only the most recent attempt to keep the federal agents out of the Evergreen State. Senate Bill 5855, which is being considered now, would prevent immigration officers from wearing masks and face coverings.
But it isn’t just a war against ICE. Washington lawmakers seem to be making a valiant effort to thwart all law enforcement. Senate Bill 5974 is a very controversial proposal for a “modernization” of sheriffs. The biggest concern by critics is the authority it would give politicians over the sheriff’s department. A press release by Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison says, “The most concerning provision of SB 5974 grants an unelected state board the authority to remove a duly elected Sheriff from office. This represents a fundamental shift of power away from voters and toward centralized authority. The Office of Sheriff belongs to the people of each county, not the Legislature.” Furthermore, “This is the third consecutive year legislation has been introduced to ‘modernize’ the Office of Sheriff, yet no clear problem statement has been identified. Claims of ‘accountability’ do not justify sweeping changes such as imposing candidate requirements, redefining duties, or allowing state-level removal of a locally elected constitutional officer. Sheriffs are already accountable through elections, recall, and public scrutiny no less than any other elected official.”
Senate Bill 6002 would regulate how license plate information can be gathered and used. If approved, it would limit automatic license plate readers (ALPR) to only be utilized for locating stolen vehicles and missing or endangered people. However, it would prohibit use for immigration enforcement, tracking activities such as protests, or collecting data near schools, courts, food banks, or places of worship. As Fox 13 reported, “The legislation also sets strict data retention timelines, ranging from four hours to 72 hours depending on the purpose, and requires agencies to register their systems with the state attorney general and certify compliance with training and policy requirements.”
Proponents argue this is necessary to protect public privacy. Others claim it hinders investigations. Lakewood Police Chief Patrick Smith said it has been a “game changer” and noted there had been no homicides in 2025. "We were able to save a 15-year-old girl from being sex trafficked. We were able to find this vehicle before it entered into Mexico, and bring her back safely to her family," Smith told Fox 13.
"Specifically in 72 hours, we may not know if that vehicle is involved in a crime or not. We need time to follow up," Smith said. "We have to weigh look at it as a balancing act. Well, what is it that I really want? Do I want my kids safe when they leave home? Do I want my house secure and safe when I leave or while I'm there? Do I want to be able to send my kids to the park and enjoy the community, the lakes and everything that Lakewood offers? Or am I so concerned that I don't want the police to do anything and I want them to police like it's 1957 versus 2026."
The proposed bills are still making their rounds in the legislative circle. If the ICE Out Act of 2026 passes, it could take effect as early as October 1.
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