WA AG Ferguson files 53rd lawsuit against Trump Administration

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration, and specifically Homeland Security for arresting illegal immigrants in and near courthouses.

"Civil arrests that take place in and around courthouses violate long-standing, common law privileges against such arrests. This conduct also violates the 10th Amendment, which provides states the autonomy to control the operation of their judiciaries and prosecute crimes without federal interference", Ferguson noted.

Ferguson's 53rd lawsuit against the Federal Government also claims hundreds of such arrests have taken place since 2017 in 20 counties around the state, including Benton, Franklin, Grant, Adams, Walla Walla and Yakima.

"Contrary to what the Federal Government says, my office has uncovered significant evidence that many of the individuals immigration officials have arrested at and around courthouses in Washington State, have no prior convictions and no criminal histories", Ferguson added.

In fact, the Attorney General claimed many were victims of crime or appeared in court on nonviolent charges, such as traffic offenses. Others were there to register motor vehicles, pay traffic tickets or accompany a relative to court.