Governor Ferguson signs worker-notice law for federal immigration inspections

Governor Ferguson signed House Bill 2105, which requires employers to notify employees when federal immigration authorities plan workplace inspections and to share inspection results within prescribed timeframes.

According to remarks at the signing, the law—requested by Attorney General Nick Brown—"requires employers to notify workers within 5 days of receiving an inspection notice and to provide the result of the inspection within 5 days after receiving them." The measure also bars employers from voluntarily consenting to federal agencies accessing worker records without a subpoena or a judicial warrant except when federal law requires such access.

Representative Lillian Ortiz Self was named at the ceremony as the bill's prime sponsor; a companion sponsor, identified in remarks as Senator Rebecca Sedona, was not present. The governor said the bill is intended to protect immigrant workers who are essential to Washington's economy and culture by ensuring timely notice and limiting voluntary employer cooperation when possible.

The bill was signed at the ceremony and participants posed for photos. The transcript does not include implementation timelines or details about penalties for noncompliance.