A University of Washington report found federal immigration agents accessed Washington police surveillance data through indirect channels. Now lawmakers want to close the gap. (CBP)
OLYMPIA, Wash. — State lawmakers are moving to tighten limits on automated license plate reader systems this session as evidence shows ICE surveillance in Washington has continued through indirect access to local police data, according to an October 2025 University of Washington report and public records.
The proposed rules aim to close gaps in Washington’s sanctuary framework. Critics say those gaps let federal immigration enforcement tap into local surveillance networks without clear approval from the agencies that collect the data.
Why lawmakers say action is needed now
Senate Bill 6002 and House Bill 2332 are moving through the Legislature in the 2026 session. The bills would set statewide rules for automated license plate readers, also known as ALPRs, according to legislative records.
“These license plate cameras are powerful surveillance tools, and I think most people would agree there should be clear rules governing how the data collected on all of us is stored and accessed,” said Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma.
Public hearings drew heavy public interest this week in the Senate Law and Justice Committee and the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee, according to committee sign-in records.
Trudeau said lawmakers want to preserve legitimate law enforcement uses while limiting broad surveillance.
“We have a balancing act before us. We want law enforcement to have the tools they need to solve crime, but we also need to respect community surveillance concerns and ensure the use of this data aligns with our values as a state,” Trudeau said.
What the UW report found in October 2025
The University of Washington Center for Human Rights report released in October 2025 documented federal access to Washington-based Flock Safety camera networks during 2025.
The report found that at least eight Washington agencies enabled direct sharing of their Flock networks with U.S. Border Patrol during parts of 2025. Those agencies included police departments in Arlington, Auburn and Yakima, according to the report.
However, researchers also reported indirect access tied to shared network settings. They said federal users could search data from at least 10 additional Washington agencies without formal sharing agreements.
The study relied on public records requests, internal system logs and agency correspondence, according to its authors.
Between May and August 2025, federal immigration agencies ran thousands of searches on Washington-based Flock networks, the report said.
Examples cited by researchers raise privacy concerns
The UW report cited specific examples that critics say show how quickly surveillance data can travel.
In one case, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office ran a May 2025 search listing “ICE” as the reason. That query reached data from at least 10 other local agencies through shared network permissions, according to the report.
In another case, Spokane County license plate data was accessed by Texas law enforcement officers investigating an abortion-related matter, according to reporting reviewed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The EFF said the search may have violated Washington privacy protections.
Civil liberties advocates say those cases show why statewide limits matter. They argue local settings and “nationwide lookup” features can expand access far beyond the community that paid for the cameras.
Flock Safety and Ring partnership adds new pressure
Flock Safety operates a nationwide automated license plate reader network. The company says it does not hold direct contracts with ICE or other federal immigration agencies.
However, the company has acknowledged that local agencies can share access with outside partners. That can happen intentionally. It can also happen through default sharing settings.
Flock said it paused limited pilot programs with Customs and Border Protection in August 2025 after scrutiny. It also said it introduced keyword filters to block immigration-related searches in states where that use is prohibited.
In October 2025, Flock announced a partnership with Amazon’s Ring doorbell network. Under the agreement, agencies using Flock software can request video footage from Ring users through the Neighbors app.
Privacy advocates warn that voluntary footage requests could still widen the pool of data available inside investigative platforms. They also warn that access rules often lag behind technology.
“This bill is an effort to thread that needle. This is not about restricting law enforcement tools. This is about putting in place reasonable rules around how the data is used and accessed,” Trudeau said.
Washington limits cooperation but current law leaves gaps
Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act, enacted in 2019, restricts state and local agencies from using resources to assist federal civil immigration enforcement unless tied to criminal matters.
Supporters say the law blocks direct cooperation. However, they argue it does not clearly regulate ALPR data sharing or third-party surveillance networks.
That gap sits at the center of the current debate. Advocates say ICE can still benefit from local surveillance when another agency runs a search or when network settings allow broad access.
Cities pause programs as the debate grows
Some cities have already taken steps.
Olympia and Redmond have paused their Flock programs, citing privacy risks and concerns about sanctuary policies, according to statements from local officials.
Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe said ICE never directly accessed Redmond’s data. Still, he said officials worried about potential disclosures through court orders or third-party access.
What the bills would change
Lawmakers say SB 6002 and HB 2332 would establish clear statewide limits on ALPR use and data handling.
Among other changes, the proposals would:
• Limit ALPR use to defined law enforcement purposes
• Prohibit use for immigration enforcement
• Require deletion within 72 hours unless tied to an active case
• Restrict collection near sensitive locations such as clinics and places of worship
• Require audits and transparency rules
“This issue is urgent and we need to get it right,” Trudeau said. “I expect a vigorous debate and welcome input from law enforcement, local governments, advocates and the public, so we can come to a solution that provides true community safety for the people of Washington.”
What happens next
The bills face key deadlines in the coming weeks. They must move out of committee and advance through both chambers to reach the governor’s desk.
Meanwhile, the UW report suggests ICE surveillance in Washington can continue through indirect access as long as current gaps remain.
Stay tuned for more PNW Daily coverage in the Pacific Northwest.
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