State and local officials are investigating a Seattle-area corrections department after a whistleblower alleged the county was hiring unqualified immigrants as guards, according to a complaint filed with Washington state authorities.
"Individuals have been hired while holding only temporary work visas, and in some cases, with expired work authorization altogether," the unnamed whistleblower wrote to the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), regarding hirings in King County. "These hires are in direct violation of the statutory requirements set forth by state law."
The whistleblower was identified only as an officer from the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention.
The department said in a statement that it is actively investigating the complaint and denied that any of the guards were illegal immigrants, even though some appear to have failed to meet the legal eligibility requirements.
At the time of the filing on Aug. 27, the whistleblower alleged the violations had been happening for "several years" and remained ongoing. The complaint was first reported by SeattleRed host Jason Rantz this week.
Washington law requires all peace officers in the state have their immigration status verified and must be American citizens, lawful permanent residents or beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA.
The law does not allow for the hiring of people with temporary visas or illegal immigrants who do not fall...
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