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Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026
Outside the box.
Washington State Lawmakers Move to Limit ICE Access to Schools
Proposed legislation would restrict federal immigration enforcement activity on K-12 campuses without judicial warrants
Lawmakers in Washington state have advanced legislation that would limit the circumstances under which federal immigration authorities can access public schools, intensifying a debate over the balance between immigration enforcement and student protections.
The bill, which cleared a key legislative committee this week, would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from entering K-12 school grounds or accessing student records without a judicial warrant.
Supporters say the measure is intended to safeguard students and ensure that schools remain focused on education rather than immigration enforcement.
Under the proposed framework, school officials would be required to deny entry to immigration agents who do not present a court-issued warrant signed by a judge.
Administrative warrants issued by federal agencies alone would not suffice.
The legislation would also mandate that districts develop clear policies for handling immigration-related requests and provide guidance to staff on responding to enforcement inquiries.
Backers of the bill argue that fear of immigration raids can discourage attendance and undermine trust between immigrant families and school authorities.
They contend that clarifying the legal threshold for federal access will create a more stable learning environment and align with existing state policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in certain contexts.
Opponents have raised concerns that the proposal could hinder cooperation with federal authorities and create confusion about the limits of state and federal jurisdiction.
Some critics argue that federal immigration law ultimately supersedes state restrictions, and they warn that the measure could invite legal challenges if enacted.
The legislation now heads to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
If approved and signed into law, Washington would join a growing number of states adopting explicit guidelines on immigration enforcement activity in schools, reflecting an increasingly polarized national conversation over immigration policy and local governance.
The bill, which cleared a key legislative committee this week, would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from entering K-12 school grounds or accessing student records without a judicial warrant.
Supporters say the measure is intended to safeguard students and ensure that schools remain focused on education rather than immigration enforcement.
Under the proposed framework, school officials would be required to deny entry to immigration agents who do not present a court-issued warrant signed by a judge.
Administrative warrants issued by federal agencies alone would not suffice.
The legislation would also mandate that districts develop clear policies for handling immigration-related requests and provide guidance to staff on responding to enforcement inquiries.
Backers of the bill argue that fear of immigration raids can discourage attendance and undermine trust between immigrant families and school authorities.
They contend that clarifying the legal threshold for federal access will create a more stable learning environment and align with existing state policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in certain contexts.
Opponents have raised concerns that the proposal could hinder cooperation with federal authorities and create confusion about the limits of state and federal jurisdiction.
Some critics argue that federal immigration law ultimately supersedes state restrictions, and they warn that the measure could invite legal challenges if enacted.
The legislation now heads to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
If approved and signed into law, Washington would join a growing number of states adopting explicit guidelines on immigration enforcement activity in schools, reflecting an increasingly polarized national conversation over immigration policy and local governance.
