OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington has joined a lawsuit against several federal agencies over a threat to withhold funding to states that don’t participate in the immigration crackdown.

It’s among 20 states that are suing the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Attorney General Nick Brown says the agencies are requiring states to fully cooperate with immigration enforcement or lose billions in federal funds. He says immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government and state law doesn’t interfere with their efforts.

But he points out that the Keep Washington Working Act prohibits local and state law enforcement from using their resources to assist them.

AG Brown says it would also harm the trust local law enforcement has developed with immigrant communities and make them less safe.

Washington received about $1.6 billion in federal funding last year to battle wildfires, prepare for emergencies and to improve transportation infrastructure.