Welcoming on Immigration
Washington Immigration Policy 2026
Immigration laws, sanctuary status, E-Verify requirements, and how immigration shapes the political landscape in Washington ahead of 2026.
14.9%
Immigrant Population
Welcoming
Immigration Stance
Not required
E-Verify
DL: Yes
Undoc. Drivers License
Key Immigration Policies
| Sanctuary Status | Yes — Keep Washington Working Act |
| E-Verify Requirement | Not required |
| Drivers License (Undocumented) | Yes |
| In-State Tuition (Undocumented) | Yes |
| Enforcement Approach | Sanctuary state policies limiting immigration enforcement |
Overview
Washington passed the Keep Washington Working Act limiting law enforcement cooperation with ICE. The state has a large immigrant workforce in agriculture, technology, and healthcare. Yakima Valley has a significant Mexican immigrant agricultural community.
2026 Political Impact
Washington is generally blue but WA-3 (southwest WA) is a competitive House seat where immigration is a major issue. The urban-rural divide on immigration is stark in Washington state.