Brace yourselves, folks—Attorney General Pam Bondi just dropped a bombshell on Washington and Oregon with a stern warning to ditch their sanctuary policies or kiss federal funding goodbye.
According to The Post Millennial, in a move that’s got progressive governors squirming, Bondi issued letters demanding the states end practices that block cooperation with federal immigration enforcement by a tight deadline of August 19, 2025.
Let’s rewind to August 13, 2025, when these strongly worded letters landed on the desks of the governors, backed by a fresh executive order from President Trump targeting jurisdictions that hinder federal efforts.
The crux of the issue? Washington and Oregon have laws that stop local law enforcement from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including ignoring detainer requests to hand over criminal unauthorized migrants.
Bondi’s letter didn’t mince words, arguing that such policies weaken the partnership between federal, state, and local agencies, ultimately allowing crime to fester unchecked in communities. It’s a fair point—shouldn’t safety trump political posturing?
Quoting Bondi from her social media post on August 14, 2025, “Sanctuary jurisdictions prioritizing unauthorized migrants over citizens must come to the table or face us in court.” Well, that’s a gauntlet thrown down if ever there was one—progressive leaders, your move.
Washington’s Governor Bob Ferguson fired back with defiance, stating, “Washington state has no intention of changing our values.” Values are nice, Governor, but what about the value of federal law and public safety—do those not count?
Ferguson doubled down, praising the state’s sanctuary statute as a protector of families and a reflection of local priorities. Yet, one wonders if ignoring ICE detainers truly keeps communities safer or just scores political points with a certain crowd.
Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek wasn’t any softer, declaring, “We will not be bullied into doing the federal government’s job.” Bullying or accountability—it seems like a matter of perspective when federal funds are on the line.
Bondi’s demand is crystal clear: by August 19, 2025, both states must confirm their commitment to federal law and outline steps to scrap policies obstructing immigration enforcement. That’s not a suggestion—it’s a deadline with teeth.
The Attorney General’s letter emphasized the long-standing history of cooperation between state and federal agencies for immigration enforcement, calling it vital for national security. Undermining that, as Bondi sees it, gives cover to crime and evasion of consequences.
Washington’s track record isn’t helping its case—Congress previously demanded documents in April 2025 about the state’s refusal to honor ICE detainers, only to be ignored by Attorney General Nick Brown. Stonewalling federal oversight while suing a local sheriff for non-compliance with sanctuary rules—talk about mixed signals.
Let’s get real: ICE detainers aren’t just paperwork; they’re requests to ensure criminal unauthorized migrants aren’t released back into neighborhoods to potentially reoffend. When states like Washington and Oregon refuse, whose safety are they prioritizing?
For those concerned about immigration-related issues, there’s a way to act—call 866-347-2423 or submit an online tip to report suspicious activity. It’s a small step, but community vigilance matters when policies falter.
At the end of the day, this showdown between Bondi and the sanctuary states is more than a funding spat—it’s a battle over whether federal authority or state autonomy reigns supreme on immigration. With tensions high and the deadline looming, expect courtroom drama if compliance doesn’t come first. One thing’s certain: the debate over sanctuary policies is far from settled.
