KGMI News
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – The State Department of Licensing says the Deputy Director is out, and the agency will no longer release personal information to federal immigration authorities without a court order or unless required by law.
DOL Communication and Education Director, Krista Carlson, spoke with KOMO about the aftermath of last week’s report in The Seattle Times showing the agency handing over personal information 20 to 30 times a month.
“We thought we were in alignment. We now know that we were not, and we definitely want to right that wrong,” Carlson said.
The agency announced the changes Monday, along with the resignation of Deputy Director Jeff DeVere.
DeVere oversaw compliance with an executive order Gov. Jay Inslee signed last year to prevent state employees from helping federal officials enforce immigration laws.
Many found the DOL’s policy surprising since Washington is one of the few states that allow people without proof of legal U.S. residency to get driver’s licenses, but Governor Inslee was outraged.
“Turns out what they’re doing is going after many people who do not have criminal histories, as we would understand them,” Inslee said.
The agency says it will also end its practice of collecting “information that isn’t mandated and could be misused,” like information on license applications about where a person was born.