Priority 1: Protect Our Civil Liberties
Policy asks: Protect Muslim communities’ rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and equal protection under the law by opposing laws and initiatives that weaken civil liberties, increase religious profiling, or stifle constitutionally protected speech.
- Project 2025 / Project Esther – Project Esther, a secretive surveillance initiative, has raised concerns about targeting Muslim Americans under the guise of national security. It promotes religious profiling, erodes civil liberties, and fosters mistrust between Muslim communities and law enforcement. This will lead to stigmatization, fear, and marginalization of Muslims.
- Freedom of Speech – Legislation is popping up at all levels of government in the name of “anti-hate” that actually infringes on freedom of speech. Conflation of antisemitism & antizionism
- ICE / Detention – Immigration enforcement is being unfairly and disproportionately applied, affecting many Muslims in Washington state.
- Hate Crimes Hotline – Distrust of government is at an all-time low, Muslims and other immigrants are very hesitant to use this resource. Data will not reflect accurately.
Priority 2: Ensure Education Equity & Accountability
Policy asks: Implement and enforce K–12 school accountability for protection against discriminatory discipline for Muslim students; and protect students’ rights to politically expressive speech
- Project 2025 / Project Esther – Project Esther, a secretive surveillance initiative, has raised concerns about targeting Muslim Americans under the guise of national security. It promotes religious profiling, erodes civil liberties, and fosters mistrust between Muslim communities and law enforcement. This will lead to stigmatization, fear, and marginalization of Muslims.
- Freedom of Speech – Legislation is popping up at all levels of government in the name of “anti-hate” that actually infringes on freedom of speech. Conflation of antisemitism & antizionism
- ICE / Detention – Immigration enforcement is being unfairly and disproportionately applied, affecting many Muslims in Washington state.
- Hate Crimes Hotline – Distrust of government is at an all-time low, Muslims and other immigrants are very hesitant to use this resource. Data will not reflect accurately.
Priority 3: Reduce Harm via Ethical Investments
Policy asks: Instruct the Washington State Investment Board to adopt ethical investment standards and divest from any corporation associated with human rights violations so that public dollars are only invested in corporations who value peace, justice and accountability
- While Washington state cannot directly control federal military spending, it does have a responsibility to ensure our state’s investments do not contribute to harm — especially when they hurt both innocent people abroad and vulnerable communities at home.
- Washington State currently invests over $1.5 billion in companies supporting Israel’s illegal occupation and military aggression, actions identified by human rights experts as genocidal violating both international law and U.S. law. The federal government’s massive military budget is paired with deep cuts to healthcare, housing, and education. Divesting from the war economy is not only a legal and financial issue — it’s a moral one.
- Washington must align its investments with our values of human rights, peace and justice. Washington citizens want a pension fund that provides a dignified retirement while promoting a more just society.
Priority Bills
Justice for Ayşenur: Support SJM 8014
Summary: SJM 8014 requests an independent and transparent investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. The memorial urges appropriate authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding her death and ensure accountability through a formal investigative process.
Background
- CAIR-WA is working with our partner organizations and Aysenur’s family to advance this legislation that, if passed, would be a request from the State of Washington to Congress and the President to initiate an independent, thorough and credible investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
- Last year, we passed a resolution honoring Aysenur’s memory. This year, we are working to get the state legislature to pass this joint memorial.
Sponsors: Senators Saldaña, Orwall, Alvarado, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Slatter, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez, Wilson, C.
Legislative History & Current Status (Senate):
- December 16: Prefiled for introduction
- January 22: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM
- January 29: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice
- CURRENT STATUS: In the Rules Committee
- [ACTION NEEDED] – email your lawmakers to pull the bill from Rules and refer it to the Senate Floor for a vote (we will update with a link once the action alert is live)
The Responsible Investments Act: Support HB 2662 / SB 6304
Summary:
- The Responsible Investments Act ensures that ethical investment principles are incorporated into the investment decision-making process of the Washington State Investment Board. The bill promotes long-term, sustainable financial practices while maintaining fiduciary responsibility to public funds.
Background:
- CAIR-WA worked with a coalition of organizations
- We learned that the State is invested in over $1.5 billion in companies that profit from genocide, among many other unethical investments.
- We joined forces with environmental and immigrant rights groups to call on the investment board to implement ethical investment framework.
Organization:
- Coalition – www.futures-wa.org
Minority Business Certification for MENA business owners: Support HB 2684
Bill Summary: HB 2684 establishes clear guidelines for defining what constitutes a socially disadvantaged individual for the purposes of state business enterprise certification. The bill aims to ensure more equitable access to state contracting opportunities for businesses owned by individuals from Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities.
Background:
- Arab and Middle Eastern owned businesses are not qualifying for Minority Owned Business certification, because they are considered white under state law.
- Minority owned businesses qualify for contracts with the state, and Arab and Middle easterners are not qualifying for that certification.
- This bill would fix that issue
- The bill defines “socially disadvantaged individual” to include MENA, allowing MENA-owned businesses to be eligible for state certification and related opportunities.
- Only 4.15% of total public contracting went to OMWBE-certified business. Of that 4.15%, 2.3% went to white-owned businesses. This means, non-white-owned businesses only captured 1.85% of public contract dollars.
Sponsors:
- Representatives Farivar, Salahuddin, Parshley
Legislative History & Current Status:
- January 27: First reading; referred to the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
- February 3: Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM
- February 4: Executive action taken; bill voted yes and advanced to the House floor
Partner/Coalition Bills
HB 2105 strengthens protections for immigrant workers in Washington State by clarifying employer obligations and limiting practices that exploit workers based on immigration or citizenship status. The bill reinforces existing labor standards, helps prevent retaliation, and ensures immigrant workers can safely exercise their workplace rights.
SB 6109 prohibits the Washington State Investment Board from investing funds under its management in private detention facilities. The bill seeks to align state investment practices with human rights principles by preventing public funds from supporting private detention operations.
HB 2641 prohibits certain state and local law enforcement agencies from hiring specified former federal employees. The bill is intended to establish clearer boundaries around law enforcement hiring practices and promote accountability, transparency, and community trust.
HB 2648 addresses how state and local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration enforcement officials. The bill clarifies limitations and standards for cooperation to ensure compliance with state law, protect civil rights, and maintain trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
Other Bills We are Tracking
HB 2161 clarifies and updates the general powers and duties of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. The bill ensures the office has clear statutory authority to carry out its responsibilities, including providing legal advice to state agencies, representing the state in legal matters, and enforcing state laws effectively.
HB 2210 strengthens and secures fair elections in local governments to ensure that community members have equitable representation. The bill aims to protect the integrity of local governance by clarifying election procedures, enhancing transparency, and promoting accessibility for all voters.
HB 2173 establishes rules and guidelines regarding the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers while on duty. The bill aims to balance officer safety, operational effectiveness, and accountability, ensuring that the use of face coverings aligns with public transparency and community trust standards.
HB 2464 establishes reporting requirements and clarifies law enforcement responses for incidents that occur at private detention facilities. The bill seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and public safety by ensuring that incidents are properly documented and addressed by the appropriate authorities.
Get involved!
Join CAIR-WA at our 2026 Muslim Day at the Capitol on Monday, February 16. Register Here