On December 16, 2025, the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) updated an administrative policy on supporting the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status.

A copy of the administrative policy may be obtained on the WSDA website or by contacting Gloriann Robinson, Rules Coordinator, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-1802, email wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov.

WSDA supports the rights and dignity of all Washington residents, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. The 2019 Washington state legislature passed legislation (chapter 440, Laws of 2019) reinforcing that the federal government, not local and state governments, bears the primary jurisdiction to enforce federal immigration law.

Whenever new state rules are issued, the new rules take precedence until this policy is updated. If any part of this policy is found to conflict with federal requirements that are a condition to receiving federal funds, the conflicting part will be disregarded solely to the extent of the conflict.


•	No employee may use agency funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal registration or surveillance programs or any other laws, rules, or policies that target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin.

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No employee may use agency funds, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, cooperate with, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal registration or surveillance programs or any other laws, rules, or policies that target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration or citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin.


o	This does not apply to any program with the primary purpose of providing people with services or benefits.

This does not apply to any program with the primary purpose of providing people with services or benefits.

2. WSDA provides services to all Washington residents without regard to immigration or citizenship status.


•	Employees may not condition services on a person's immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth.
•	Employees may not request information or proof regarding a person's immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth, except as specified in section 3.

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Employees may not condition services on a person's immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth.

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Employees may not request information or proof regarding a person's immigration status, citizenship status, or place of birth, except as specified in section 3.

3. Employees must limit the collection and disclosure of information about individuals to the minimum necessary.


•	Employees may collect, use, or disclose information about Washington residents in any of these circumstances:

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Employees may collect, use, or disclose information about Washington residents in any of these circumstances:


o	To comply with state or federal law.
o	In response to a lawfully issued court order.
o	If necessary for performing agency duties, functions, or business unrelated to immigration enforcement, as permitted by statute or rule.
o	As required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding.
o	When the information is in the form of de-identified or aggregated data, including census data.

To comply with state or federal law.

In response to a lawfully issued court order.

If necessary for performing agency duties, functions, or business unrelated to immigration enforcement, as permitted by statute or rule.

As required to comply with policies, grants, waivers, or other requirements necessary to maintain funding.

When the information is in the form of de-identified or aggregated data, including census data.


•	Employees may not disclose information collected from individuals except as necessary to comply with this section of the policy or as permitted by state and federal law.

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Employees may not disclose information collected from individuals except as necessary to comply with this section of the policy or as permitted by state and federal law.