Sponsor urges "ICE Out Act" to block recent ICE hires from state policing jobs
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Summary
A sponsor told the committee HB 2461 would bar Washington agencies from hiring sworn ICE officers recruited after Jan. 20, 2025, citing constituent fears and reported federal tactics; members questioned cutoff dates and urged consideration of enhanced vetting rather than an outright ban.
Committee counsel summarized House Bill 2,461 as the "ICE Out Act of 2026," which would prohibit general or limited-authority Washington law enforcement agencies from employing any person who was hired as a sworn officer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after Jan. 20, 2025; the statutory prohibition would apply prospectively to state/local hires made on or after Oct. 1, 2026.
The bill’s sponsor (the committee vice chair) said the measure responds to constituent reports and national news showing aggressive ICE tactics — including allegations that agents broke vehicle windows, detained people off the street and used children in enforcement actions — and argued Washington should not be a recruitment destination for officers trained in those tactics. The sponsor said she supports second chances and retraining in principle but emphasized this recruitment window is a necessary precaution while tensions are high.
Members pressed the sponsor on why the cutoff date begins Jan. 20, 2025, whether the policy would be discriminatory toward law-abiding applicants who served at ICE, and whether strengthening background checks and vetting could achieve the same goals. Representative Griffey suggested improving vetting procedures rather than a ban; Representative Burnett asked why someone hired by ICE who acted lawfully should be excluded. The sponsor expressed openness to additional vetting layers and future policy refinement.
No vote was taken. The committee suspended public action on the bill to allow time for further conversations with stakeholders and technical staff.
