OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – State leaders are upping their efforts to protect immigrant rights in Washington.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order on Monday, Sept. 29 establishing the Immigration Sub-Cabinet.
The cabinet will be tasked with coordinating state agencies on immigration and other issues related to data privacy, health care and programs such as the Keep Washington Working Act.
“Washington is a welcoming community that values immigrants’ and refugees’ contributions to our economy and our cultural fabric,” Governor Ferguson said. “While the federal government engages in cruel attacks on immigrant communities, we are taking action to protect the rights and interests of all Washingtonians. This executive order ensures every agency across our state is working together to defend immigrant rights.”
The governor’s order also directs agencies to review their data sharing policies to make sure they’re protecting the privacy and safety of all residents.
My Bellingham Now previously reported that the state sued the Trump administration in July for sharing residents’ personal health data with federal immigration officials.
The shared information included immigration status, addresses and social security numbers for every Apple Health enrollee in the state, totaling 1.7 million people.
The governor’s new sub-cabinet will update him with quarterly reports that will include any recommendations for changes in state policy.
