WA human rights groups call on elected officials to expand protections for immigrants

Washington human rights organizations are calling on Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown and other elected officials to expand protections for immigrant and refugee groups within the state.

What they're saying:

On a coalition call on Thursday led by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, advocates want Governor Ferguson to take executive actions that would expand the use of pardons and clemency for immigrants facing consequences for old or otherwise vacated convictions, that they believe will benefit several hundred longtime residents in Washington.

They also want the Keep Washington Working law to be updated, and for the Department of Corrections to stop sharing release dates with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to halt transferring individuals to ICE custody.

These requests were sent in a letter dated in December to Governor Ferguson:

A spokesperson from Governor Ferguson's office says he plans to respond to the letter this week.

The Source: Information in this story is from Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

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