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Senator Murray Calling for Release of Wilmer Toledo-Martinez from ICE Detention Center

Wilmer Toledo-Martinez was arrested on Nov. 14, when, according to Senator Murray, an ICE agent posed as a construction worker claiming that he’d hit Wilmer’s car with his truck and needed to exchange insurance information outside of his home. Once outside, ICE released a dog that attacked Toledo-Martinez. His attorney says it’s been "extremely difficult" to get adequate medical care in the Tacoma facility where he’s been held for the last three weeks. [The Stranger]

• Medical Neglect Is a Pattern at Northwest Detention Center: La Resistencía has collected data on this for years, including 15 hunger strikes protesting conditions this year alone. And over the weekend, The Seattle Times reported that a Filipino detainee, Greggy Sorio, had to have a toe amputated because of a severe bone infection during his time at the Tacoma facility. [The Stranger]
• What Are Elected Officials Doing? Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith are co-sponsoring The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which would repeal mandatory detention, create a presumption of release, impose a higher burden of proof to detain primary caregivers and vulnerable populations, and phase out the use of private detention facilities and jails.
• This is in Addition to Yesterday’s Face-Coverings Ban: As we reported in yesterday’s newsletter, Senator Javier Valdez also introduced a bill that would ban law enforcement officers and ICE agents from wearing face-concealing masks. [Washington Standard]

2026 Elections Already Kicking Off 🗳️

State Senator Rebecca Saldaña announced on Sunday that she is running for King County Council in the 2026 election. She’s hoping to fill the District 2 seat that Girmay Zahilay left after taking office as King County Executive. Seattle Port Commissioner Toshiko Grace Hasegawa also announced she is “strongly considering a run.” [The Urbanist]

DOL Error Puts WA in Transportation Secretary Sightlines 🚛

Our state’s Department of Licensing has issued 685 incorrect commercial licenses over the last seven years. The issue came to light when a semi truck driver, Harjinder Singh, allegedly made an illegal U-turn and killed three people in Florida. Singh should have received what is called a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license, meant for noncitizens with valid work authorization. Instead, he received a standard license. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has since threatened to withhold federal highway funding from states that issue licenses to immigrants who don’t qualify. [Washington State Standard]

Doctors Recommend Reading to Your Kids From Birth 📚

There are lots of great places to get free books in Seattle: your local library, from Dolly Parton(!), and of course, the amazing Little Free Libraries around Seattle. Liam’s house has one! He invites readers to come check it out. [Seattle Times]

Mountlake Terrace Cancels Flock Cameras Contract 📹

Last week, the Mountlake Terrace City Council unanimously voted to end the city’s contract with Flock Safety, citing community division and public records concerns. The city will still have to pay Flock $27,000 for the first year of the two-year contract. Lynnwood, Stanwood, Redmond, and Olympia have all paused or suspended their Flock camera networks. [The Daily Herald]