Immigrant Worker Protection Act
Reviewed for legal accuracy on 10/14/2026
Learn about a new law in Washington State that requires employers to notify workers before federal paperwork inspections, and to notify workers whose paperwork is missing or has errors.
Washington’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act
A new law in Washington, the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (IWPA), took effect on October 1, 2026. You can read it at RCW 49.97.
Starting October 1, 2026, the IWPA requires employers to notify their employees about any upcoming I-9 inspection of forms or other employment records. An I-9 inspection is when federal immigration agents inspect whether the employer has properly completed I-9 forms.
Your employer must notify all its employees 5 business days before a federal agency inspection of the employees’ employment eligibility paperwork.
If agents find errors in an employee’s paperwork or find that an employee doesn’t have proper work authorization, the employer must notify the employee (and any union representative) about the errors or lack of authorization, within 5 business days.
The employer must also explain the time period for correcting the error and offer to meet with the workers and any union representative.
How employers must give notice under IWPA
Employers must display an official workplace poster issued by Washington’s Attorney General’s office in a place visible to all workers. The poster will most likely be posted on a bulletin board near other required labor law notices.
The Attorney General’s poster and other required notices have been translated into Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, and Chinese – Mandarin.
Employers must also give workers notice using the primary method of communication typically used by the employer, either:
- Hand delivery
- Mail with proof of delivery
- Email with proof of sending
- Text message
What if my employer doesn't notify me before an I-9 inspection?
If you're not notified before an I-9 inspection, you may be able to sue your employer to stop it from happening again and for money for harm done and lawyer fees.
You can also report violations of the Immigrant Worker Protection Act to the Attorney General’s office by emailing: IWPA@atg.wa.gov.
Your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting an IWPA violation or helping with an investigation. State law at RCW 49.97.080 prohibits retaliation for exercising rights under IWPA.
If you have questions about your immigration status, try to talk to an immigration lawyer.