Seattle police recruiting DACA recipients to become officers

SEATTLE (NewsNation) —Washington state is opening up law enforcement jobs to thousands of immigrants who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The Seattle Police Department is recruiting DACA recipients to become cops amid a shortage of officers, due to new legislation that went into effect on June 6.

Senate Bill 6157 allows DACA recipients to apply for civil service jobs, such as city firefighters, wildlife officers, and county sheriff’s deputies, across Washington. Before the legislation, they were prohibited from holding these positions.

DACA recipients could increase manpower

Staffing at the Seattle Police Department dropped from more than 1,400 sworn officers in 2017 to less than 1,050 last year, the department reported during a Seattle City Council committee on Feb. 13.

Washington officials estimate that the state is home to more than 14,000 DACA recipients, who received relief from deportation and the ability to legally work under the 2012 federal program.

Hiring DACA recipients could increase the number of police and firefighters who speak multiple languages, helping agencies better serve immigrant communities.

Will hiring DACA recipients backfire for departments?

Conservatives are “a little bit mixed” on the decision to allow DACA recipients to apply for civil service jobs, while liberals are “in favor of this idea and expanding it,” Jason Rantz, a Seattle radio host who has reported on the issue, told NewsNation.

Rantz said he supports DACA recipients who are willing to contribute to society and try to make communities safer. However, he fears police departments might be setting themselves up for a policy shift.

Under new guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), DACA recipients are allowed to “carry agency/department-issued firearms and ammunition while on duty and must relinquish possession at the end of each duty period/shift.”

“That ATF guideline can go away with the new administration, that ATF guideline could go with the new ATF leadership,” Rantz said. “I fear that we’re putting a lot of resources and attention into this specifically, without likely getting a whole bunch of new applicants, and then having to reverse course, and just save face.”

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell was among those backing the legislation.

Are other states hiring DACA recipients?

Illinois, Colorado and California have passed laws to allow DACA recipients to apply for law enforcement jobs. New Jersey and Wisconsin are considering legislation.

Meanwhile, Virginia’s legislature passed a law to allow dreamers to become police officers, but it was voted vetoed against by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

What is DACA?

Known simply as DACA, the Obama-era order protects immigrants who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children from deportation.

For many DACA recipients — “Dreamers” — the United States is the only nation and only home they’ve ever known.

The policy was enacted on June 15, 2012, and though it does not provide lawful status, White House officials say it has enabled hundreds of thousands to live without fear in the U.S.