Dear friends and neighbors,
Earlier this month, on June 20th, we celebrated World Refugee Day. As Washington’s first refugee legislator, I carry with me the memory of fleeing a war-torn country, the uncertainty of arriving in a new land, and the resilience of building a future in a community that finally felt safe. That lived experience shapes my legislative work and it’s why I will never stay silent in the face of fear, nor stand aside as federal forces try to intimidate the communities that make Washington home.
Over the last five years, our state has built a robust policy shield for immigrants and refugees. We’ve passed strong protections such as Keep Washington Working, HB 2567 (2020) prohibiting civil arrests within a mile of a courthouse, funded critical services, and reasserted our values: Washington is a place where everyone – regardless of status, language, or origin – deserves to live in safety and dignity.
In 2023, we took historic steps to hold federal detention centers accountable. We gave the Department of Health the authority to inspect and fine private facilities like the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. For the first time, Washington pierced the veil of secrecy surrounding these facilities and demanded compliance with state health and safety laws.
In 2024, we expanded opportunity and access with a $28 million investment in healthcare for undocumented Washingtonians. Apple Health Expansion and our Healthplanfinder marketplace were opened to all Washingtonians – regardless of immigration status, so that no one must choose between getting medical care and risking detention. In 2025, despite a difficult budget year, we maintained funding of Apple Health for immigrants and provided $40 million in support for new arrivals of immigrants and refugees to Washington state.
Given the harmful executive orders and unpredictability at the federal level targeting immigrants, we went further and passed HB 1889, which removed citizenship requirements from over 200 professional licenses, opening doors for undocumented residents to become nurses, teachers, and other vital professionals. HB 1232 strengthens oversight of detention centers through surprise inspections. HB 1875 protects workers from retaliation when they attend immigration proceedings. SB 5104 allows the Department of Labor & Industries to fine employers up to $20,000 for using deportation threats as a weapon. And SB 5714 makes it unprofessional conduct for bounty hunters or bail agents to impersonate immigration officers.
Most importantly, HB 1321 blocks any out-of-state National Guard or militia from entering Washington without the Governor’s permission. This prevents federal overreach and protects our communities from being caught in mass-deportation campaigns.
We’ve also made major investments. Since 2020, Washington has funded the statewide immigration hotline (1-844-724-3737), operated by the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. This hotline isn’t just for individuals. It’s a tool used by faith groups, schools, local businesses, and entire neighborhoods to report hate crimes and get emergency legal support.
We’ve expanded immigrant legal defense through the Office of Civil Legal Aid and Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance. And through HB 2015, we’ve ensured that local police departments can access public safety grants only if they follow community-centered standards including respecting sanctuary laws.
Together, these laws make it harder for ICE to operate in secrecy and easier for communities to stand together. This is not just about those facing deportation. It’s about the safety of students, elders, and workers. It’s about preserving the trust that holds our towns and cities together.
To every immigrant Washingtonian: you belong here. And as long as I serve, I will fight to ensure that our laws reflect that truth.
I invite all Washingtonians – immigrants, refugees, allies, to know your rights, and organize together for the future we deserve.
In Service,
Rep. My-Linh Thai