JCIJ Advocacy Committee: 2026 Washington State Legislative Session Recap
Written by Hilary and Bria, members of the JCIJ Advocacy Committee
This year, the Washington State Legislature convened on January 12 and adjourned on March 12, concluding a session marked by several legislative victories for immigrant communities and fights that will continue into next year’s Legislative Session.
At the same time, the session produced a more mixed record than this victory alone might suggest. Some priority legislation was approved with sizable cuts; other legislation was approved only after the addition of problematic amendments. Additionally, a number of important bills – such as those defending immigrants and Washingtonians from federal overreach – failed to make it out of the House or Senate before the legislative session concluded. Clearly, much work remains to be done to protect vulnerable communities in Washington State.
We hope that the following debrief of the 2026 Washington Legislative Session will provide you with a clearer understanding of both the progress that was made by legislators and the challenges that remain unaddressed. Equally important, we hope it inspires you to pursue further conversations about and advocacy for immigrant rights in the months ahead as we gear up for the 2027 Legislative Session.
For ease of access, we have divided the debrief into three sections: victories, disappointing outcomes, and the work ahead. Each section begins with an overview explaining the significance of the legislation discussed in that portion.
Victories: State Budget Guarantees Funding for Essential Services; Law Enforcement Transparency Increases
In coalition with our allies, JCIJ’s advocacy resulted in impactful victories for immigrant communities, and all Washingtonians, this legislative session. For example, legislators secured resources to support immigrants seeking asylum or who are in fear of deportation. Additionally, with the passage of laws reinforcing the authority of the State Attorney General and banning law enforcement from wearing masks, Washingtonians have been given increased – and necessary – protection against federal overreach.
Significantly, the landmark passage of the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights will ensure that domestic workers receive rights that they have been denied for decades, including fair pay and privacy protections. In addition to raising labor standards for all workers in the industry, these protections will have a particularly meaningful impact on many immigrant workers because immigrants make up a significant portion of Washington’s domestic workforce.
Another budget victory was the passage of the Millionaires’ Tax. While it does not specifically address immigrant rights, the bill, which enacts a tax on households earning more than $1 million annually, will provide critical revenue to support immigrant communities in the years to come.
The Washington Migrant and Asylum Seeker Support Program (WA-MASS) was fully funded and will continue to contribute to the support of the agencies providing legal services, case management, temporary housing, education and training for immigrants.
The WAISN Deportation Defense Hotline, also fully funded,responds to immigration enforcement activity across the state, activates community support during raids, and connects immigrants to over 1,400 vetted resources.
The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (SB 5023/HB1561) will ensure that 100,000 domestic workers across the state of Washington who are currently excluded from common-sense labor standards can access crucial rights.
The Immigrant Workers Protection Act (SB5852/HB2105) requires employers to notify employees of planned inspections or audits by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the workplace.
Banning All Law Enforcement from Wearing Masks (SB 5855/HB 2173)bans all law enforcement, including local, state, and federal law enforcement, from wearing masks and requiring them to have identification while conducting operations in the state.
Attorney General Civil Investigation Demands (SB 5925/HB 2161) clarifies the Washington Attorney General’s Office investigative authority to uphold and enforce our state laws.
Disappointing Outcomes: Harmful Budget Cuts, Mixed Implications, and Stalled Bills
Despite numerous legislative victories, priority programs were approved with sizable cuts. For instance, lawmakers reduced funding to Medicaid in Washington (also known as Apple Health), creating new and harmful barriers for immigrants and low-income Washingtonians who want to access medical care.
Other newly-passed bills spell mixed consequences for immigrants. The Driver Privacy Act provides important privacy protections for Washingtonians by limiting the ways automated licence plate readers (ALPRs) can collect data. However, it also allows law enforcement to retain data for longer periods of time and expands the investigations ALPR data may be used in.
Disappointingly, some bills defending immigrants and Washingtonians from federal overreach didn’t make it out of the House or Senate. These proposals would have expanded worker rights, standardized law‑enforcement leadership requirements, and increased accountability for detention centers that otherwise obstruct state inspections.
This session, the legislature reduced funding for the Apple Health Expansion Program by $27.9 million and changed its structure. These changes, including closing enrollment to new applicants for the expansion program; tougher renewal requirements; and the introduction of work requirements, will reduce the overall quality of healthcare for immigrants and leave Washingtonians vulnerable. As of January 2026, over 25,000 people are on the waitlist for the program. JCIJ continues to advocate for full funding of the program.
The Driver Privacy Act (SB6002/HB 2332) was signed into law on March 30, 2026. The Act regulates automated license plate readers (ALPRs), which scan and store license plate data. Prior to the law’s passage, ALPRs were administered by unregulated private companies; law enforcement and other agencies could hold data for more than 30 days and could share data with the federal government. With the passage of the Act, agencies are prohibited from collecting ALPR data around sensitive locations (including facilities offering protected health care or immigration-related services, places of worship, and schools) and sharing ALPR data for immigration enforcement. However, it also allows agencies to retain ALPR data for 21 days and expands the use of ALPRs beyond felony investigations to include gross misdemeanors. By strengthening privacy protections while expanding the use of ALPRs, the Act has mixed implications for Washingtonians.
Several bills aimed at strengthening protections for immigrants from federal overreach did not advance this session and will require further advocacy in the upcoming legislative session. SB 5906 would have restored long‑standing “safe space” protections by limiting immigration enforcement in schools, health care facilities, and colleges, while SB 6045/HB 2409 sought to grant farmworkers the same rights other workers have to form a union. HB 2464 proposed expanding state oversight of private detention centers by enhancing reporting requirements and law‑enforcement responses to abuses or injuries. Relatedly, SB 5364/HB 1399 would have modernized and standardized laws governing sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, and certain volunteer officers by updating eligibility, training, and background investigation requirements. Finally, SB 6286 would have authorized escalating fines for private detention facilities that block state inspectors and would have created a fund to support individuals harmed in connection with those facilities.
Looking Forward: The Work Ahead
Many of the legislative victories this session were only made possible through the tireless advocacy of JCIJ and its partners. We extend endless gratitude to JCIJ staff and volunteers – as well as to our partners in the Faith Action Network, One America, and the Washington Immigration Solidarity Network – whose dedicated advocacy played a crucial role in advancing this shared legislative agenda.
Even as we celebrate the years’ progress, JCIJ has already begun preparing for the 2027 legislative session. This upcoming session will be particularly significant because lawmakers will be deciding Washington’s budget and spending priorities for the next two years. Budget decisions are ultimately values decisions: where our state invests its resources reflects the communities and priorities it chooses to support. JCIJ is prepared to advocate for a state budget that values all Washingtonians, including and especially vulnerable immigrant communities.
JCIJ is meeting with state legislators who are members of the State Jewish Caucus and strengthening our relationships with lawmakers across the region. We are also expanding our congregational outreach beyond the Puget Sound region in order to build relationships and deepen our understanding of local assets and needs across the state.
There are many ways to get involved in, or deepen your involvement with, JCIJ’s legislative work! You can be an advocate for immigrant justice with us: Join the Advocacy Committee to help JCIJ…
prepare for the 2027 Legislative Session;
build relationships with legislators;
and work together on political education to engage new advocates!
If you are interested in learning more about JCIJ’s advocacy efforts or would like to join the JCIJ Advocacy Committee, reach out to team@jewishcoalition.org.
In solidarity,
The JCIJ Advocacy Committee