Four candidates for the 30th Legislative District races attended a Federal Way forum on Tuesday, October 20, to directly address concerns from the city's immigrant communities. The event, collaboratively organized by local groups Mujer al Volante and United in Purpose, provided a platform for residents to ask state legislative hopefuls about protecting communities from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), supporting caregivers, preventing drownings, addressing funding inequities, and enhancing youth mental health.
The forum included incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire Wilson, incumbent Democratic Rep. Jamila Taylor (Representative No. 1), incumbent Democratic Rep. Kristina Reeves (Representative No. 2), and Independent challenger Paul McDaniel (Representative No. 2). Republican challengers Michael Rutland and Tiffany Bowyer were not present; Mujer al Volante founder Jacqueline Garcia Castilla stated their absence was due to health reasons. The organizing groups focus on serving low-income immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking women and youth, and the forum began with food, beverages, and a dance performance.
Garcia Castilla opened the forum by acknowledging the difficult environment for attendees, noting, "our communities don’t feel safe out there," specifically mentioning immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in Federal Way, where she cited a "high presence of ICE." The event was held privately to ensure the safety of those from immigrant communities. Attendees submitted questions and often shared personal stories illustrating the impact of policy issues on their lives.
A central topic was the presence of ICE in Federal Way. Democratic incumbents Wilson, Taylor, and Reeves each voiced strong concern. Senator Wilson, who introduced herself by sharing that her late mother emigrated from wartime Germany without documentation, stated she was "glad my mom is not here to see this." Representative McDaniel offered a different perspective, noting he needed "to see the facts" regarding ICE presence. However, McDaniel joined the other candidates in expressing concern about government sharing data from surveillance tools, such as FLOCK cameras, evoking George Orwell’s "1984" in his remarks. He pledged to prevent such data from being shared outside the community.
The incumbent candidates detailed their ongoing work to protect immigrant communities. Representative Taylor highlighted her role as Chair of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, where she helped pass the Data Privacy Act to regulate automated license plate readers and cameras. Representative Reeves committed to advocating for adequate funding for the Attorney General’s office to challenge illegal actions by the federal administration and expressed support for closing the Northwest ICE Detention Center in Tacoma. Senator Wilson discussed her advocacy for unaccompanied minors on the Family Separation Task Force and as Vice Chair of the Department of Children, Youth and Families Oversight Board. She also cited partnerships with community groups like the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW, and Law and La Resistencia, the latter also advocating to shut down the Tacoma detention center. Wilson further offered personal assistance to her neighbors, including driving and bringing groceries, if they felt unsafe due to ICE presence.
Candidates also addressed staffing challenges impacting adult family homes. Representative Taylor spoke to the issue as "near and dear" to her, mentioning her brother’s caregiver from an immigrant community feared coming to work due to potential ICE retaliation. As an attorney, Taylor stated she is working on torts and lawsuits to ensure a safe regulatory environment for adult family homes. Senator Wilson discussed her collaboration with Taylor on the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Caucus, focusing on funding community care options and mitigating fraud accusations against adult family homes. Representative Reeves detailed her work on regulatory policy for adult family homes on the Consumer Protection & Business Committee, having sponsored a bill with the Department of Social and Human Services to prevent regulatory burdens from being "used as a weapon" against these homes. McDaniel proposed solutions such as helping caregivers collect interest on late payments, fostering relationships between licensors and service providers, and expanding payment options beyond Medicare reimbursement.
Water safety was another significant concern, brought forward by an attendee from United in Purpose who shared a personal story of losing two brothers to drowning. The attendee questioned what might have happened with quicker emergency services or lifeguards. United in Purpose promotes water safety education for Black youth in partnership with the YMCA, and it was noted that many immigrant families lack knowledge about water safety. McDaniel offered his condolences but stated that as a legislator, there were limited actions to stop such incidents, suggesting funding could be provided but community groups should decide its use. Representative Taylor emphasized funding community-based safe swimming opportunities and advocating for policies that prevent harm without restricting access. Senator Wilson discussed specific community efforts with the Wildlife and Recreation Association to advocate for life jackets and boats at public pools and beaches.
