But the new law’s once-chief supporter now has some misgivings about it.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed into law new guardrails for the use of automated license plate readers, amid concerns federal immigration authorities are tapping them to aid in their searches.

Under Senate Bill 6002, police can only use the readers when investigating felonies or gross misdemeanors, looking for stolen vehicles or those registered to people with arrest warrants and searching for missing or endangered people, with some exceptions. The data can’t be shared except in court proceedings, and will need to be deleted after 21 days, unless it’s needed for police evidence.

Under the new law, the cameras can’t be used for immigration enforcement or tracking protected activities like free speech. They also can’t collect data near protected health care or immigration facilities. Their use is also prohibited around schools, courts, food banks and places of worship.