Advocates Probe WA State Agency’s Relationship to ICE in FOIA Request

SEATTLE – Immigrant and human rights advocates announced Tuesday they’re seeking more information on the collaboration between a Washington state agency and federal immigration authorities. 

Freedom of Information Act requests have been filed to find out how much the Washington state Department of Licensing shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Last week, The Seattle Times newspaper reported DOL handed over residents’ personal information as many as 20 to 30 times a week. 

Angelina Godoy, director of the University of Washington Center for Human Rights, filed the FOIA requests.

“Even our own elected officials know so little about the way that ICE is operating,” she states. “Therefore, how can they protect us and how can they design policies to make sure that human rights are upheld in our communities? 

“We need to have greater transparency into what’s going on.” Read more…