In October 2025, King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) discovered that 38 corrections officers, who were hired in good faith and are legally authorized to work in the United States, could not serve as law enforcement officers under the state’s immigration status requirement, at that time. If those officers were removed from service, despite being federally authorized to work, King County detention facilities would face a nearly 20% staffing vacancy rate, creating significant public safety concerns, mandatory overtime for remaining staff, and delays in court and medical transports.

“Immigrant residents who are federally authorized to work should have the opportunity to find employment and build a life with dignity in King County, including pursuing careers in public service. This bill helps create a more diversified pool of candidates and opens the door for more people who may be considering careers in law enforcement, helping address the underlying staffing crisis,” says Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive.

As one team unified around one mission, King County’s Executive Office Government Relations team and DAJD partnered with Senator John Lovick and other state legislators to prioritize changing the law so county staff could keep their jobs and continue their important work. On March 18, 2026, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5068, aligning employment eligibility standards for corrections officers with federal work authorization requirements to address staffing shortages. This historic moment marked a renewed commitment to public service and strengthened the county’s ability to serve its communities. Read more.