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4h ago

Two Contracted Crew Workers From Washington Wildfire Site Detained by ICE After Border Patrol Check

A Washington lawmaker says facility staff confirmed the men are being held in Tacoma.

Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, on August 30, 2025.
U.S. Representative Emily Randall stands with an aide outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center prior to making an unannounced visit, in Tacoma, Washington, U.S., August 30, 2025. Randall made the visit to check on firefighters detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while assisting firefighting efforts at the Bear Gulch Fire in the Olympic National Forest, within her district.
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Overview

  • Border Patrol conducted identity checks on 44 contracted workers at the Bear Gulch fire site, arresting two and escorting 42 off federal land, according to federal officials.
  • CBP says the Bureau of Land Management ended contracts with the companies after a criminal investigation and requested the verification; Table Rock Forestry disputes any termination and says none of its employees were detained.
  • DHS and the fire’s Incident Management Team say the detained individuals were in support roles and that wildfire operations continued without interruption.
  • Rep. Emily Randall reports ICE officials confirmed the two are held at the Tacoma detention center and says she was denied entry during an unannounced weekend oversight visit.
  • An attorney for one detainee says his client has lived in the U.S. since childhood and is awaiting a victim-based visa decision, while CBP says the men were booked on illegal entry and reentry charges.