Trump DOJ joins lawsuit to defend WA sheriff after state targets him for assisting ICE in apprehending illegal aliens

The Department of Justice has joined a lawsuit to defend a Washington state sheriff who is being prosecuted by the state for assisting US Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) in apprehending criminal illegal immigrants, which is in defiance of the state's sanctuary statute. This comes after Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner testified before Congress about the matter earlier this month. He is being sued by Washington Democrat Attorney General Nick Brown's Office. Wagner and several other Washington sheriffs then met with Attorney General Pam Bondi in Washington, DC, to express concerns about the sanctuary policies they are required to abide by.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche declared that the Department of Justice stands with Adams County and has a no-tolerance policy for obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts.

"The Justice Department stands with Adams County against Washington state's overreach," said Blanche. "Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, we're sending a clear message: states cannot obstruct federal immigration enforcement. We will not tolerate interference."

The DOJ filed a statement of interest in the suit on April 18 with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, according to court records. The lawsuit in defense of Sheriff Wagner is being spearheaded by America First Legal (AFL).

"The state's brazen attack on a sheriff working to uphold the rule of law and protect his community from criminal illegal aliens is despicable," AFL wrote in a post on X. "It must not stand."

On March 10, Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit against Adams County and Sheriff Wagner for violating the state's sanctuary statute, known as the Keep Washington Working Act (KWW), at least 212 times over the past several years. The KWW prohibits local and state law enforcement agencies from assisting federal authorities with immigration enforcement efforts. The lawsuit claimed that the Adams County Sheriff's Office assisted ICE in apprehending illegal immigrants by providing ICE with the names of hundreds of noncitizens who have been charged with and/or convicted of crimes, as well as "their dates of birth, home addresses, fingerprints, and driver's license numbers."

Adams County has long stated its strong opposition to the KWW, which officials described as "dangerous" in a letter sent to Brown last month. County officials made it clear that it intended to comply with federal immigration laws instead of the state's, claiming that Washington's sanctuary policies compel the county to violate federal law, which is "supreme over state law," according to the letter.

On April 9, Sheriff Wagner testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement about the matter and claimed he was the target of politically motivated prosecution. During testimony, Wagner explained his belief that the KWW is a public safety issue and detailed incidents where illegal aliens committed heinous crimes in his community, such as murder and body dismemberment. The sheriff argued that his office should not be prohibited from assisting ICE.

"[Brown's] lawsuit is not about justice or protecting communities, it's about enforcing a political agenda that restricts law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal authorities," Wagner told Congress, adding that the suit is a waste of taxpayer funds and has been diverting resources from critical public safety efforts. "Even when individuals in custody have committed serious crimes beyond immigration violations, we are barred from notifying federal agencies upon their release. As a result, repeat offenders, drug traffickers, and violent criminals remain in our communities instead of facing appropriate legal action."

"While proponents claim sanctuary policies protect vulnerable populations, they also shield repeat offenders who exploit the system," he continued. "Criminal organizations, including drug Cartels and human traffickers, take advantage of these policies, knowing they face minimal risks of deportation, even when caught committing additional crimes. These sanctuary policies create confusion and fear among law-abiding residents and citizens."

In conclusion, Wagner stated, "Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast in our mission to serve and protect. We will not back down from our responsibility to uphold the law and keep our residents safe."

Wagner was joined in Washington, DC, by several other Washington state sheriffs who met with Attorney General Pam Bondi and ICE officials to discuss concerns about the KWW.

In response to the state's lawsuit, the House GOP Judiciary Committee placed Attorney General Brown under investigation and issued a demand letter requesting that he produce certain documents pertaining to the state's sanctuary laws. Brown did not comply with the request and remained committed to his belief that the KWW is lawful, nor does it violate federal immigration laws, according to a response letter Brown sent to the committee last week.