Washington County will direct $200,000 in contingency funds to support immigrants and refugees impacted by ongoing raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

The Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency Tuesday, freeing up the rainy-day funds to back “immigration-related services.” The county is still determining where to send those dollars. Board members delivered blistering criticism of federal immigration tactics.

“It’s interesting that there is a line in (our emergency declaration) that describes current federal immigration activity appearing to be designed to instill fear and anxiety in the residents of Washington County,” Commissioner Jason Snider said. “I would be remiss in my job if I did not point out that I believe that’s literally the definition

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