Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Brown denounce unconstitutional actions of ‘out of control’ ICE agents in Minneapolis

OLYMPIA - Today Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown held a press conference denouncing the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minnesota, including calling out the unconstitutional memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that directs ICE agents to use force to enter homes without judicial warrants. Ferguson and Brown also discussed steps the state is taking to prepare in the event ICE launches a similar incursion here in Washington.

Photos from the press conference are available here. Video is available here.

The press conference comes two days after ICE agents killed another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot while peacefully exercising his constitutional rights. ICE agents also shot and killed Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Minnesota.

"ICE is completely and totally out of control," Governor Ferguson said. "As angry as we are, Attorney General Brown and I are focused on preparing, to the fullest extent possible, for a similar escalation by ICE here - against our will - in Washington state. We are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to mitigate harms inflicted by ICE and protect all Washingtonians. We all have agency in defending our democracy. Whatever our station in life happens to be, we all have a responsibility to speak out, peacefully make our voices heard, and assist our fellow Washingtonians. We will not allow this administration to turn our nation into an authoritarian regime."

"Right now, Minnesota is less safe because of the federal presence in that state," Attorney General Brown said. "America is weaker because of the operations in Minnesota, and real people all across this country are now traumatized, injured, and dead because this president's fascist tendencies. What we're seeing right now coming from Washington, D.C., is motivated by hate and bias and it is guided by the whims of the president - not the facts, not the courts, and certainly not the United States Constitution."

While state officials do not have the authority to stop ICE from deploying in our state, Washington state remains a leader in fighting and defeating the Trump Administration's illegal and unconstitutional conduct.

The Governor outlined five steps the state is taking to prepare:

• The Governor and Attorney General signed a joint letterto U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noemcalling the recent events in Minnesota deeply disturbing and urging the federal government to withdraw ICE agents and de-escalate the operation. In his remarks, the Governor stressed that the DHS memo directing ICE agents to forcibly enter homes without judicial warrants is unconstitutional. The letter to Noem emphasizes that Washington will use every legal option to oppose unconstitutional conduct by ICE in Washington state.
• Building on his creation of the Immigration Sub-Cabinet, Governor Ferguson announced that, effective today, the Chief of the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, Sarah Peterson, will begin attending cabinet meetings. This will help ensure the state is coordinating effectively between agencies to respond quickly and thoroughly to new threats from the federal government.
• Governor Ferguson recently hired David Kim, a senior advisor to work specifically on immigrant and refugee policy issues.
• The Governor met with Adjutant General Gent Welsh to discuss potential scenarios for deploying Washington's National Guard to keep Washingtonians safe in the event of an ICE escalation.
• Governor Ferguson is engaging in many conversations with local, state and federal partners to ensure the response statewide is coordinated, including a meeting today with statewide elected officials.
• The Governor has requested and supported legislation to help mitigate harms from ICE and hold them accountable.
  • Governor Ferguson supports Senate Bill 5855sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez that will bar law enforcement from wearing face coverings. That bill has already passed the Senate Committee on Law & Justice.
  • Governor Ferguson is also partnering with Sen. Adrian Cortes (Senate Bill 5876) and Rep. Edwin Obras (House Bill 2165) on legislation to prohibit individuals who are not law enforcement officers from making, providing or possessing badges or other law enforcement insignia. CNN found that there were more ICE impersonations in 2025 than the prior four presidential terms combined. This bill will help mitigate that harm. The bill earned a bipartisan vote, passing the House Committee on Community Safety last week.
  • Attorney General Brown is partnering with Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) and Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self (D-Mukilteo) to propose the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 2105, SB 5852). The Act would require employers notify employees when the federal government has requested their employment eligibility information, and ensure employers follow the law and only share employees' personal data when a subpoena or judicial warrant has been issued.