STATE OF WASHINGTON

June 7, 2018

Annette L. Hayes
Acting United States Attorney
Western District of Washington
700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220
Seattle, WA 98101-1271
Dan Sproul, Warden
Federal Detention Center - SeaTac
2425 South 200th Street
Seattle, Washington 98198
Bryan Wilcox
Acting Seattle Field Office Director
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
12500 Tukwila International Blvd.
Seattle, WA 98168
Dear Ms. Hayes, Mr. Sproul and Mr. Wilcox:
It has come to our attention that at least several dozen women who crossed the Southwest border
seeking asylum were recently moved to a Bureau of Prisons detention center in SeaTac. Some of
the women have apparently been separated from their young children, pursuant to the Trump
Administration's outrageous new family separation policy.
We have serious concerns about the Trump Administration 's treatment of these asylum seekers
who are now here in Washington. As the chief executive and chief law enforcement officers for
the State, we ask that you immediately share with us information about these asylum-seekers,
including:
• Where are their children and who is caring for them?
• Why are these women being held in prison while their asylum claims are resolved?
• Have they been given information about their legal rights or access to attorneys, such as
those from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project?
• When and where will these women be released?
• When can they expect to be reunited with their young children?

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 June 7, 2018
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The Trump Administration's new family separation policy is inflicting intentional, gratuitous,
and permanent trauma on young children who have done nothing wrong and on parents who
often have valid claims for refugee or asylum status. We need to understand immediately what
impacts this new policy is having on people here in our state.
Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE
Governor
JI/BF/j lg

BOB FERGUSON
Attorney General