A Democratic-led county in Washington state has come under examination following allegations from a whistleblower who claimed that over 100 immigrants without proper qualifications, including some with expired visas, were employed as jail guards, allegedly breaching state regulations.

King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), which oversees the jail system for the Seattle metro area, is now the subject of a joint state and local investigation. 

According to a complaint filed with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), the county’s correctional leadership knowingly hired individuals who lacked legal work authorization – potentially putting the safety of inmates, staff, and the public at risk.

‘Individuals have been hired while holding only temporary work visas, and in some cases, with expired work authorization altogether,’ the unnamed whistleblower wrote in a formal complaint. 

‘These hires are in direct violation of the statutory requirements set forth by state law.’ 

The whistleblower, identified only as a current King County corrections officer, claimed in a letter to a county council member that the violations have been occurring for ‘several years’ and remain ongoing.

The warning, first obtained and reported by Jason Rantz on Seattle Red 770 AM, estimates that ‘well over 100 corrections officers currently employed by DAJD may fall into this questionable status.’

‘Some estimates place the number closer to 130 officers,’ the letter continued. 

King County in Seattle is under scrutiny after a whistleblower alleged that more than 100 unqualified immigrants, some with expired visas, were hired as jail guards

The whistleblower accused King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) Director Allen Nance, pictured, and the department’s human resources division of ‘knowingly hiring unqualified immigrants’ and of showing an ‘extreme inability to effectively run our jails.’

‘If the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission revokes their certifications, these individuals would be unable to continue serving as corrections officers. The loss of this many staff would place the County’s jail system on the brink of collapse.’

The whistleblower accused DAJD Director Allen Nance and the department’s human resources division of ‘knowingly hiring unqualified immigrants’ and of showing an ‘extreme inability to effectively run our jails.’ 

The letter further warns that the leadership’s ‘disregard for compliance with state law has put public safety in King County at unacceptable risk.’

King County officials have denied knowingly violating state law, though they acknowledged possible mistakes in how eligibility requirements were applied.

‘The officers in question are all authorized to work in the United States, are highly trained for their roles, have undergone an extensive criminal background check process, and are in good standing with King County,’ the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention insisted in a statement. 

However, a county spokesperson conceded that ‘it appears that King County may have improperly applied a requirement set forth by a Washington State statute that limits the categories of workers eligible to serve as corrections officers in our adult jail facilities.’

The spokesperson added that the county ‘takes this potential oversight seriously and is actively investigating and taking remedial steps as necessary.’

Under Washington state law only US citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals covered under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are permitted to serve as peace or corrections officers.

If the whistleblower’s claims are substantiated, with allegations of more than 100 officers, roughly a third of the workforce under threat, the fallout could cripple King County’s correctional infrastructure

Those hired under temporary work visas or with expired immigration documents  are not legally eligible to work in such roles.

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which trains and certifies correctional officers, confirmed to Fox News that it has received the whistleblower complaint and launched a formal review.

‘The agency is aware of the complaint and we are conducting an open investigation into King County’s hiring practices,’ said WSCJTC spokesman David Quinlan.

Quinlan added that four recent King County hires were expelled from the training program after the county itself acknowledged they did not meet eligibility requirements.

The state commission emphasized that it is the responsibility of the hiring agency, not the state, to verify immigration and employment eligibility before submitting certification paperwork. 

Employers must sign a ‘Notice of Hire’ under penalty of perjury affirming that the officer meets all legal requirements.

The King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle

If the whistleblower’s claims are substantiated, the fallout could cripple King County’s correctional infrastructure. 

Losing more than 100 officers, roughly a third of the workforce, could lead to unsafe staffing levels, restricted jail bookings, or even the closure of entire facilities, the complaint warned.

An independent source familiar with the case told Seattle Red that some recent hires, ‘all Africans,’ had openly admitted they might not have the correct paperwork to legally work for the department. 

The WSCJTC has placed the complaint in its initial review phase, with no set timeline for completion. If the state finds grounds to pursue charges, uncertified officers could be decertified within 60 days unless they request a formal hearing.

King County, home to Seattle and nearly 2.3 million residents, operates the state’s largest jail system. 

Officials insist they are reviewing all active personnel files and reaffirmed their commitment to ‘full compliance with state and federal law.’