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Sheriff Dale Wagner of Adams County, Washington, is fighting back against his state’s sanctuary policies. He says these laws protect criminals instead of keeping communities safe. Wagner testified in Congress this week, arguing that Washington’s rules stop local police from working with federal immigration agents.
The state’s attorney general sued Wagner for not following the “Keep Washington Working Act.” This law blocks local law enforcement from helping ICE detain or deport illegal immigrants. Wagner calls the lawsuit a political attack. He says it’s about forcing liberal policies, not justice.
At the Capitol hearing, Wagner warned that sanctuary policies let dangerous people back on the streets. Repeat offenders, drug traffickers, and violent criminals often avoid deportation because police can’t notify ICE. This forces deputies to arrest the same suspects over and over, wasting time and tax money.
Washington’s rules also ban local jails from holding illegal immigrants for ICE. Wagner says this stops police from removing threats. He argues that federal and state authorities should work together, not fight. “Public safety should come first,” he told lawmakers.
Democrats in Washington claim sanctuary laws build trust between police and immigrant communities. But Wagner says the rules only help gangs and cartels. He shared stories of criminals exploiting weak enforcement to hide in plain sight.
The Trump administration supports Wagner’s stance. President Trump has slashed federal funding to sanctuary cities and ordered ICE to arrest more illegal immigrants. Washington’s leaders call this cruel, but Wagner says it’s common sense. “We can’t ignore the law,” he said.
Conservatives in Congress praised Wagner for standing up to state overreach. They blame sanctuary policies for rising crime and chaos in cities like Chicago and New York. Wagner’s case shows how rural communities are stuck in the middle of a national debate.
Sheriff Wagner hopes his fight will change Washington’s laws. He wants police to have the freedom to protect their towns without political interference. For now, he’s vowed to keep pushing back. “We won’t let politics put our people at risk,” he said.
