Authorities at both state and local levels are looking into the Seattle Regional Department of Corrections following a whistleblower complaint. This complaint alleges that King County is employing undocumented immigrants as security guards, as detailed in a letter submitted to Washington state officials.
An anonymous whistleblower, who is affiliated with the King County Adult and Juvenile Detention Department, claimed in the letter to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission that there are “individuals being employed who hold only temporary work visas” and in some cases, “their work permits have expired.” This, according to the whistleblower, violates legal requirements set by state laws.
In a response, the department stated that it is investigating the allegations but denied any illegal employment of guards, though they acknowledged that some might not meet the legal qualifications.
The complaint reportedly indicated that these violations have been occurring for “several years” and are still ongoing. The initial report about this complaint came from a local source earlier this week.
Under Washington state law, all peace officers must have their immigration status verified and need to be either U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or beneficiaries of the DACA program. The law does not permit hiring temporary visa holders or undocumented immigrants lacking DACA eligibility.
The King County Adult and Juvenile Detention Department claimed that all officers in question possess authorization to work in the U.S., are well-trained, have undergone thorough background checks, and are “in good standing” with the county. However, a report suggested that over 100 correctional officers might be implicated. The true extent of the issue, however, remains unclear.
The county responded, saying the number of officers with questionable employment eligibility is significantly lower than reported in the media. Moreover, while it appears King County may have misapplied specific Washington state statutes regarding correctional officer eligibility, the county takes these potential oversights seriously and is actively investigating and rectifying the matter.
According to the state training commission, it’s ultimately the hiring agency’s responsibility to vet candidates. Following notification of the whistleblower complaint, county officials reported that four recent hires were found unqualified and subsequently removed from the training program.
The commission is conducting a public investigation into King County’s hiring practices and is cooperating fully with the county. If any individuals are found not to meet eligibility requirements, the state may revoke their certification.
King County, which encompasses Seattle and some of its suburbs, stands as the state’s largest county.
