The Family Separation Response Task Force is working to improve policies and practices statewide to protect children whose parents or guardians are detained or deported due to immigration status. The Task Force was created by Executive Order 25-04 which was signed by Governor Bob Ferguson on Jan. 27, 2025.
The goals of the Task Force are to:
- Recommend improvements to statewide policies and practices
- Develop and share resources with families at risk of separation
- Collaborate with trusted community-based organizations
The Task Force does not share information with federal immigration enforcement. It also does not respond directly to individual instances of family separation.
If you need to report immigration activity, please call the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Deportation Defense Hotline at 1-844-724-3737 or visit www.waisn.org.
Helpful Resources
This information is not a substitute for legal advice.
Resources for Families:
- Parents are encouraged to create a safety plan which identifies who would take care of their child(ren) if they are detained or deported.
- Download a sample Immigrant Safety Plan (now available in English, Spanish, and Arabic)
- Know Your Rights: Civil Immigration Enforcement in Washington
- Rapid Response Hub — Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Resources for Partners/Providers:
- Information and Resources for DCYF Providers
- Group Care Providers - Guidance for Requests from Immigration Enforcement Officials
- Caregivers - Guidance for Requests from Immigration Enforcement Officials
- WAISN Resource Finder
- Protections for Immigrant Students in Washington’s K–12 Public Schools (OSPI)
- Keep Washington Working Act Guidance for state and local partners
- Report potential violations of the Keep Washington Working Act by emailing the Washington Attorney General’s Office at civilrights@atg.wa.gov or by calling 1-833-660-4877 (options are in Spanish and English).
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Separation Response Task Force Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish | Somali)
The task force is working to create a clear process for what happens when a child is separated from their family due to detainment or deportation. To do this, they will work to:
- Understand the current process
- Identify available resources for families
- Make policy recommendations to improve support services
The task force held its first meeting on Feb. 11, 2025, and now meets every three weeks. They are currently gathering information on existing policies and procedures. A key goal is to create a list of resources to help families access legal aid, mental health services and other supports. Information will be posted on this webpage.
When ICE detains a parent, they first check with the family to determine if there is a relative or friend who can care for the child. ICE only contacts DCYF if:
- The parents cannot find a safe person to care for the child.
- There are concerns about the person who is chosen to care for the child.
In these cases, ICE will notify local law enforcement, and the child will be placed in protective custody with DCYF.
DCYF does not automatically get involved in cases of deportation. DCYF becomes involved if the parents can’t find an appropriate caregiver or there are clear signs of child abuse, neglect, or risk of serious harm.
DCYF does not currently handle cases of unaccompanied children.
If a child is picked up by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, they are transferred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. From there:
- The child is placed with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
- The ORR finds a sponsor to care for the child.
- The child is connected to services and the immigration court process.
DCYF does not track child and family-level data regarding immigration status.