Hello members,

We wanted to pass along information from the Governor's Office and the guidance we received from WDFW on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Washington. Earlier this week, Governor Bob Ferguson emailed state employees (see below) on what steps Washington State is taking to address ICE activities. Even though immigration is not part of the scope that WAFWP can address, we did reach out to WDFW requesting they share guidance with staff and what we could share with our members. The agency has directe4d staff to contact their supervisor/chain of command and WDFW Enforcement if ICE comes to a WDFW facility. Additional information and guidance documents have also been provided (eg DSHS) below. 

Finally, we have requested more information be sent out to staff for field offices. When we receive more, we will pass it along. 

Stay safe,

Candace, WAFWP President

Employee Resources

DSHS Key Messages

DSHS Communication guidance for employees

Email from WA Governor

"Dear colleagues, 

Today, I held a press conference with Attorney General Nick Brown. I had already planned to hold a press conference to discuss the leaked memo purporting to authorize ICE agents to forcibly enter people’s homes without a warrant from a judge. However, the horrific events in Minnesota this weekend made this even more urgent and timely.  

AG Brown and I also sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling on her to deescalate in Minnesota. We also informed her that entering someone’s home without a judicial warrant is unconstitutional. If ICE tries any such unconstitutional measures in Washington, our state will do everything in our power to oppose it. You can read that letter here. 

These are not political issues. These are issues foundational to our democracy. As I shared in my comments to Washingtonians, while we cannot stop ICE agents from coming into our state, we are far from powerless. I want to share with you some of the actions we’re taking to prepare: 

·                     Effective today, the Chief of the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance with the Department of Social and Health Services, will begin attending my cabinet meetings. Issues impacting immigrants and refugees are changing every day. Including this leader in our cabinet meetings will help ensure we are coordinating as a state, and between agencies, to respond quickly and thoroughly to new threats from the federal government. 

·                     Our office as also added an additional senior advisor to our team to ensure we continue to work specifically on immigrant and refugee policy issues.  

·                     Our office is working closely with the National Guard to discuss potential scenarios for deploying Washington’s National Guard to keep Washingtonians safe in the event of an ICE escalation. 

·                     My team and I will be engaging with local, state and federal partners to ensure the response statewide is coordinated.  We will also be meeting with mayors, law enforcement, local leaders, and federal leaders. 

·                     My team and I will continue to work closely with the Legislature to identify statutory solutions to protect Washingtonians. 

Please reach out to your leaders and Human Resources Offices if there is assistance you need. Specifically, if you have questions about your agency’s immigration enforcement response protocols, getting in touch with your HR representative is the best resource to learn more. If you are a represented employee, you may also reach out to your local union representative for support. If you need help getting connected with your agency’s HR team or union, email statehr@ofm.wa.gov.  

Thank you for your work serving the people of Washington. 

Bob "