Washington Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed HB 2105 into law, also known as the Immigrant Worker Protection Act. The Act aims to protect immigrant workers by requiring employers to provide notice to their employees when federal agencies conduct inspections related to employment eligibility verification, specifically concerning Form I-9. The law requires employers to notify employees within strict timelines when they receive notice of an I-9 inspection and again when results are issued. The Act also requires employers to post a notice in the workplace informing employees of their rights related to immigration enforcement and I-9 inspections.
HB 2105 also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law and establishes penalties for violations. The Attorney General is tasked with developing informational materials including the required poster and notice under the Act and creating an outreach program to assist employers and workers in understanding these new requirements.
The law applies to all employers in Washington State and is expected to go into effect on October 1, 2026.
