‘Bring it on’: Sheriff pushes back after blue state leaders sue to stop immigration enforcement

Fox News - Mar 18th, 2025
Open on Fox News

Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer has criticized the Democratic leadership in Washington after state Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly collaborating with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit claims that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office violated the Keep Washington Working Act by detaining individuals based on their immigration status and sharing information with federal officials. This legal action has sparked a heated response from Sheriff Songer, who accused state leaders of attempting to intimidate sheriffs into compliance with sanctuary state policies.

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal immigration enforcement policies in Washington, a sanctuary state. The Keep Washington Working Act, passed in 2019, prohibits local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement. Attorney General Brown's lawsuit seeks to enforce this state law and represents broader efforts to ensure that Washington's sanctuary policies are upheld. This case underscores the complex legal and political battles surrounding immigration enforcement and the balance of power between state and federal authorities, with potential implications for similar conflicts in other states.

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RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a clear and timely account of a legal and political conflict involving immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies in Washington state. It effectively captures the perspective of Sheriff Bob Songer, but lacks balance by not including counterarguments or responses from the other parties involved. The article's reliance on a limited range of sources affects its credibility and the depth of its analysis. While it communicates the main issues clearly and engages readers with a controversial topic, its impact is somewhat limited by potential bias and the absence of comprehensive viewpoints. Overall, the article is informative but would benefit from additional context and perspectives to enhance its accuracy and balance.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article presents several claims that require verification, such as the lawsuit details filed by Attorney General Nick Brown against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The story accurately mentions the lawsuit's basis on the Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement. However, the article's precision in describing the legal and constitutional arguments made by Sheriff Songer could benefit from additional legal analysis or expert commentary to confirm the claims about the Constitution supporting cooperation with ICE. The article also references a public records request involving Sheriff Songer, which needs verification for its specifics and implications. The factual accuracy is moderately supported by the information provided, but further corroboration from additional sources would enhance its reliability.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of Sheriff Bob Songer and his criticism of Democratic leadership in Washington. It includes his quotes extensively without offering a balanced view from the other side, such as statements from Attorney General Nick Brown or other Democratic leaders. The lack of counterarguments or responses from those accused of 'lunacy' and 'whack nuts' contributes to an imbalance in perspective. While it does mention the lawsuit and the law in question, the absence of detailed viewpoints from those supporting the state's sanctuary policies results in a one-sided narrative.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation, using straightforward language and direct quotes to convey Sheriff Songer's perspective. The structure is logical, beginning with the main claim and supporting it with details about the lawsuit and related events. However, the tone is somewhat charged, reflecting the strong opinions of Sheriff Songer, which may affect the perception of neutrality. While the article is easy to follow, the inclusion of more balanced viewpoints could enhance clarity by providing a fuller picture of the issue.

6
Source quality

The article cites Sheriff Bob Songer and references the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Nick Brown, indicating a reliance on official statements and legal actions. However, it primarily relies on quotes from Sheriff Songer without diversifying its sources to include legal experts or representatives from the Attorney General's office. The use of Fox News Digital as the platform suggests a potential bias, as it is known for its conservative leaning. The article would benefit from including a wider range of sources to enhance its credibility and provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its methodology and the basis for some of its claims, particularly those involving legal interpretations and the implications of the Keep Washington Working Act. While it cites specific individuals and events, such as the lawsuit and the public records request, it does not provide sufficient context or background information to fully understand the legal and political landscape. The article could improve transparency by explaining the legal framework and the potential consequences of the lawsuit in more detail, as well as disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.

Sources

  1. https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/blue-state-suing-sheriffs-office-for-helping-enforce-immigration-law/
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/blue-state-suing-sheriffs-office-helping-enforce-immigration-law
  3. https://www.police1.com/legal/wash-state-ag-files-lawsuit-against-sheriffs-office-for-cooperating-with-ice
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/blue-state-sheriff-unleashes-un-american-sanctuary-laws-makes-special-offer-homan
  5. https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/washington-state-sues-adams-county-stop-illegal-federal-immigration-enforcement