OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Top leaders in Washington are speaking out against federal immigration enforcement following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis.

Gov. Bob Ferguson and state Attorney General Nick Brown held a press conference on Monday, Jan. 26 outlining their preparations for a potential spike in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Washington.

Ferguson emphasized that the state does have the authority to stop ICE from coming in and laid out five steps he’s taking to counter federal immigration enforcement.

“We are not passive bystanders to what is happening, and we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to mitigate against the harms inflicted by ICE,” Ferugson said.

Ferguson and Brown sent a joint letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday, criticizing her over a leaked memo claiming ICE doesn’t need to wait for a warrant before breaking into people’s homes.

They say the state will consider “all legal options” to hold ICE agents accountable for any violation of residents’ constitutional rights.

Ferguson added that he just met with the head of the state National Guard to discuss their plan in case ICE ramps up its operations in Washington.

“I will not go into detail about that conversation for reasons I hope you understand, but I want the people of our state to know that I’ll take whatever steps are necessary to keep our residents safe,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson continued to urge lawmakers to quickly pass a Senate bill that would bar law enforcement from wearing face coverings

He also says his office will be meeting with mayors, law enforcement and local leaders from around the state to coordinate their response plans.