OLYMPIA—In a significant escalation of the federal government’s efforts to enforce immigration laws, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi has notified Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson that the state qualifies as a sanctuary jurisdiction, requiring immediate steps to repeal related policies and affirm compliance with federal statutes, or face potential legal and financial consequences that could reshape state-federal relations.

“Our office is reviewing the letter and will discuss it with our state agency clients,” wrote Mike Faulk, Deputy Communications Director with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, in a statement to the Lynnwood Times. “The Keep Washington Working Act does not conflict with federal immigration law.”

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) letter is pur

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