In King County, Washington, the jail system has acknowledged employing approximately 38 to 100 individuals without legal authorization to work in the United States as corrections officers. This practice violates state and federal laws prohibiting the employment of undocumented immigrants.
A whistleblower alleged that King County unlawfully hired unqualified immigrants as guards, with some workers holding only temporary visas or expired permits. The complaint, submitted to Washington state authorities, claimed these hires breached statutory requirements mandating legal U.S. citizenship for corrections officers.
The King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) confirmed hiring 38 individuals who “incorrectly certified as meeting” eligibility criteria but refused to terminate their employment. The department stated it would challenge state law while maintaining operations, asserting all officers had completed training.
State law allows jails to employ lawful permanent residents or those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, but DAJD’s actions reportedly contravene these provisions. The agency declined to specify how it would address federal prohibitions against hiring undocumented workers.
The scandal has sparked investigations into the corrections department’s practices, with officials emphasizing their commitment to “safety and fair treatment” while pursuing legal remedies.