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# Washington judge: Adams County sheriff broke state law by helping ICE.
- URL: https://www.workersrights.news/washington-judge-adams-county-sheriff-broke-state-law-helping-ice/
- Published: 2026-11-14T01:03:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-14T01:03:59.000Z
- Description: First court ruling to apply the Keep Washington Working Act. The judge rejected the county's claim that the law is unconstitutional.
- Author: WorkersRights.News Team
- Tags: Legal News, Politics

A Washington judge ruled Friday that the Adams County Sheriff's Office broke state law by helping federal immigration agents, and ordered the county to stop.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Marla L. Polin found that the sheriff's office violated the Keep Washington Working Act, the 2019 law that limits how local police and jails can help with civil immigration enforcement. She also rejected the county's argument that the law is unconstitutional. The case is *State of Washington v. Adams County Sheriff's Office and Adams County*, No. 25-2-01212-32.

According to the [Attorney General's Office](https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/judge-rules-adams-county-violated-keep-washington-working-act?ref=workersrights.news), the court found the county broke the law by:

- Sending daily lists of newly booked inmates to federal immigration authorities
- Sharing when inmates were expected to be released
- Letting a Border Patrol agent question a person in custody about a noncriminal matter without the person's written consent
- Failing to adopt policies that follow the law

The ruling says a sergeant let a Border Patrol agent speak with at least one of two men he had arrested in March 2023, without telling them they could refuse. It also says Sheriff Dale Wagner testified that, even after the state sued, "he still consulted with federal immigration authorities regarding entering into a 287(g) agreement," which the law prohibits.

The county argued it no longer sends its in-custody list to immigration authorities. The judge wasn't persuaded: "the voluntary cessation of one illegal practice does not deprive a court of the power to issue injunctive relief." She entered a permanent injunction requiring the county to revise its policies and train its staff.

The Attorney General's Office says it is the first time a state court has interpreted and applied the law. The Trump Justice Department sided with Adams County in 2025, [arguing](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administration-blasts-washington-over-002646634.html?ref=workersrights.news) that federal immigration law overrides it.

"This is a victory for the rights and dignity of all Washingtonians, regardless of where they were born," Attorney General Nick Brown said.

The sheriff did not immediately respond to a request for comment, the Washington State Standard reported. It is not yet known whether the county will appeal.

Related: [ICE is arresting Washington workers on the way to their jobs](https://www.workersrights.news/ice-surge-washington-caregivers-plumber-detained-on-way-to-work/).

### Sources

- [Judge rules Adams County violated Keep Washington Working Act](https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/judge-rules-adams-county-violated-keep-washington-working-act?ref=workersrights.news), Washington State Attorney General's Office
- [Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, State of Washington v. Adams County Sheriff's Office](https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Civil%20Rights%20Division/20261113095926295.pdf?VersionId=gOb8iImQ6vwFwT97CJku.4r5gzxmIFUi&ref=workersrights.news), Spokane County Superior Court
- [County violated WA law restricting coordination with ICE, judge rules](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/county-violated-wa-law-restricting-233056498.html?ref=workersrights.news), Washington State Standard (via Yahoo News)
- [Washington court finds county broke sanctuary law by aiding ICE](https://www.everettpost.com/state-news/washington-court-finds-county-broke-sanctuary-law-by-aiding-ice/?ref=workersrights.news), The Center Square (via Everett Post)
- [Trump administration blasts Washington over immigration enforcement lawsuit](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administration-blasts-washington-over-002646634.html?ref=workersrights.news), Washington State Standard (via Yahoo News)