The Attorney General of Washington has initiated legal action against Adams County, alleging that the local sheriff’s office has been consistently violating state laws by cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit, which was filed in Spokane County Superior Court, accuses the sheriff’s deputies of detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status, allowing federal agents to interrogate these individuals, and sharing personal data with federal entities since at least 2022.

According to the lawsuit, the sheriff’s office frequently provided lists of detainees to federal immigration agents. The legal complaint emphasizes the state’s duty to uphold the rights of its residents and enforce state laws, even if it means taking action against its own subdivisions. It highlights the concern over elected officials who openly defy state laws and compromise the safety of their communities.

The state had been attempting to bring Adams County into compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act, a 2019 legislation that prohibits local law enforcement from assisting in federal immigration enforcement. However, negotiations for a settlement stalled. The lawsuit points out that the situation was exacerbated by the political climate following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

In a recent communication, county attorneys argued that their obligations under federal law were in direct conflict with the state law. They justified their cooperation with federal agents by citing instances such as the deportation of a convicted sex offender from the county.

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The sheriff’s office has engaged America First Legal for its defense, a legal group founded by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to Trump known for his stringent immigration policies. America First Legal has accused the state of Washington of abusing its power and undermining federal law, asserting that the state’s actions are particularly reprehensible because they target a county that cooperates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

While sanctuary laws similar to Washington’s are in place across various states and cities in the U.S., and have generally been upheld by courts, the Trump administration had previously taken legal actions against such laws. This included threats to withhold federal funding from local governments that refused to participate in a widespread deportation effort.

Despite the political and legal challenges, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs maintains that local law enforcement will adhere to both state and federal regulations, focusing on criminal activities that impact community safety and quality of life.

Adams County, with a population of about 20,000 and an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, often employs workers who lack legal immigration status. This backdrop adds complexity to the enforcement of immigration laws and the adherence to state statutes designed to protect these workers.

The lawsuit also references a case from January, before Trump’s presidency, where a man alleged that county officials had transported him over 70 miles to hand him over to U.S. Border Patrol agents despite a court order for his release. The county has denied most of these allegations in a recent federal court filing.

As of the latest updates, neither Sheriff Dale Wagner nor representatives from America First Legal have commented on the ongoing lawsuit.