OLYMPIA – Democratic lawmakers and Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown gathered Friday to discuss a new proposal aimed at protecting immigrant workers and limiting employers’ cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The proposal comes ahead of the 2026 legislative session beginning next month. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, and Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, and if passed, would require employers in Washington to notify employees when the federal administration requests an audit of employment eligibility information.

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, left, and Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, right, speak at a press conference to discuss the Immigrant Worker Protection Act in Olympia on Friday, December 5, 2025. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times) Less Rep

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