The city of Seattle is actively seeking to address the staffing shortage in its police department by opening up applications to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. DACA recipients, commonly referred to as 'Dreamers,' are individuals who entered the United States illegally as minors and have since benefited from the DACA policy, which allows them to defer deportation and obtain work authorization.
Historically, DACA recipients have faced barriers to employment in law enforcement due to requirements such as U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency. Additionally, restrictions on carrying firearms have posed challenges for DACA recipients aspiring to become police officers. However, recent clarifications from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have indicated that DACA recipients may possess firearms in connection with their official duties.
