The Evergreen State Cancels ICE Account

Washington admits it broke law by letting federal agents use driver data to hunt immigrants.

A KING 5 investigation prompted the state of Washington on Tuesday to admit they unwittingly allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hunt down and deport undocumented residents with the help of state data.

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) and the Office of the Governor told KING 5 they've cut off ICE’s ability to search a state database filled with driver and vehicle licensing information.

The move comes after the KING 5 Investigators provided the state with proof that ICE had misused personal DOL data for immigration enforcement. In Washington that's against the law. The Keep Washington Working Act prohibits this kind of collaboration between state departments and ICE. The 2019 law states the federal government may not use state data solely for the purpose of arresting and deporting undocumented residents.