Klickitat County Sheriff Condemns Washington’s Democratic Leadership Over Immigration Enforcement Lawsuit
Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer has sharply criticized the Democratic leadership in Washington state following Attorney General Nick Brown’s lawsuit against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly violating the Keep Washington Working Act. Songer described the actions of state Democrats as "lunacy" and accused them of attempting to intimidate sheriffs into complying with the state’s sanctuary policies.
The lawsuit, filed in Spokane County Superior Court, alleges that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Dale Wagner, illegally collaborated with federal officials, particularly during the Trump administration, in immigration enforcement. The accusations include holding individuals based on their immigration status, assisting federal agents in questioning detainees, and routinely sharing personal and confidential information of Washington residents with federal authorities. According to Attorney General Brown, these actions directly contravene the Keep Washington Working Act, a 2019 law that prohibits law enforcement agencies in Washington from aiding in federal immigration enforcement.
Songer, a vocal supporter of cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), framed the lawsuit as part of a broader effort by prominent Washington Democrats, including Governor Bob Ferguson, to enforce the state’s sanctuary policies and prevent local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities.
"They honestly feel that they can just run over everybody," Songer stated, adding, "Bring it on, I’ll fight them."
The controversy erupted in the same week that U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced a partnership between federal agents and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in the arrest of a Mexican national suspected of illegal firearms dealing. The suspect was found to be in possession of rifles, shotguns, and pistols. While the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the specific incident, the collaboration highlighted the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement efforts and state sanctuary policies.
Songer revealed that shortly after Trump’s inauguration, his office received a public records request from an individual seeking all communications between his office and federal authorities from 2021 to the present. The request explicitly stated that any discovered communications between Songer and ICE would be reported to the attorney general’s office. Songer interpreted this request as a clear attempt to intimidate him and deter cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
"In my opinion, it’s lunacy. They are whack nuts," Songer said. "Why would a governor and legislator and Brown, the new attorney general, why would they not want law enforcement to cooperate with ICE to go after bad people that are illegally in our country that have committed felonies and very serious felonies?"
He commended Sheriff Wagner and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for their stance and labeled the attorney general’s lawsuit as "flat ridiculous." Songer asserted that he would not be intimidated by the threat of investigations or lawsuits, maintaining that his position is supported by the Constitution.
"I hope my fellow sheriffs will stand up to the governor and this state and tell them these laws are unconstitutional and we’re not going to cooperate," he urged. "We just need to pay attention and follow the Constitution and I think if we do that, we’re going to have a better country."
Songer concluded by emphasizing that "citizens come first" and expressed his desire for former ICE Director Tom Homan to come to Washington state to investigate what he believes are violations of federal law by state officials.
"And I pray, I absolutely pray for Tom Homan to come to Washington state, the blue state and sanctuary state, because I really believe Ferguson, Brown and their cohorts, elected politicians, are in violation of federal law. And if they are, lock them up."
The conflict underscores the deep divisions over immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in states with sanctuary policies. The Keep Washington Working Act, at the center of the lawsuit, reflects the state’s commitment to limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Conversely, sheriffs like Songer argue that cooperation with ICE is essential for public safety and that state laws hindering such cooperation are unconstitutional.
The lawsuit against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is likely to set a precedent for future interactions between state and federal law enforcement agencies in Washington. The outcome of the case could significantly impact the state’s ability to maintain its sanctuary policies and the extent to which local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The broader implications extend beyond Washington, as other states with sanctuary policies grapple with similar tensions. The debate raises fundamental questions about the balance of power between state and federal governments, the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement, and the rights of undocumented immigrants.
