Active measures in WA state - wasn't sure if posted here... [View all]
https://www.democraticunderground.com/108229644
https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/washington-gov-bob-ferguson-preparing-separations/281-155487d4-8d5e-4799-9bcf-4050f50f9212
Gov. Bob Ferguson said President Donald Trump's immigration policies will "destabilize families" and harm children.
Author: Helen Smith
Published: 12:16 PM PST January 27, 2025
Updated: 1:51 PM PST January 27, 2025
SEATTLE Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is preparing for potential family separations amid the fallout of President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration enforcement.
Ferguson signed an executive order on Monday that creates a rapid response team intended to support children who are separated from their parents or caregivers, should they be detained or deported.
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At a press conference, Ferguson announced that the new rapid response team is comprised of professionals within the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services, the Washington State Patrol, the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, the Attorney General's Office and members of the Governor's Office. They will develop policies aimed at supporting children whose parents or caregivers are deported or detained by ICE.
Ferguson outlined priorities for the new team, including:
Review agency policies and procedures to identify any changes that can assist in responding to the separation of families. This includes situations where a large number of children in the same geographic area may be separated from their parents or caregivers at the same time.
Identify policies or procedures that may help support children of deported or detained parents and lessen, to the extent possible, the lasting impacts resulting from such separation, in consultation with immigration and child welfare experts.
Meet with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and local school districts to develop strategies for mitigating disruption to the education and development of children whose parents are deported or detained.
Create proactive lines of communication between DCYF, OSPI and local school districts to permit quick and responsive action when prompt cooperation is needed to support the child, including if a childs parents are taken for deportation or detention while the child is at school.
Work with state universities, colleges, community colleges and Running Start to ensure and support robust pathways to higher education for children who experience the trauma of having their parents or primary caregivers deported or detained.