(WASHINGTON) Federal agents arrested two wildfire support workers at a work site near the Bear Gulch fire in Washington state, drawing sharp criticism from Democratic senators and raising fresh questions about how immigration enforcement intersects with disaster response.
On August 27, 2025, personnel from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checked the identities of 44 firefighters and support workers near the Bear Gulch fire in the Olympic National Forest, then the state’s largest active blaze, burning nearly 9,000 acres. CBP spokesperson Jaime Ruiz said agents aimed to “verify the identities of all personnel present” and found “several discrepancies,” leading to the arrest of two workers who were present in the country unlawfully. One had an outstanding removal order.
DHS said the detained individuals were not actively fighting the fire but served in support roles, such as cutting logs for firewood, and that no active firefighters were questioned or detained. The arrests nonetheless sparked immediate outcry from Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), who called the policy “immoral,” and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who labeled the operation an “evil stunt,” arguing it puts communities at risk by chilling participation from needed wildfire workers.
Following the arrests, two Oregon-based private contractors, Table Rock Forestry and ASI Arden Solutions Inc., lost their federal contracts, officials confirmed. The cancellations deepen concerns about workforce capacity as fire conditions evolve across the Pacific Northwest. Federal officials maintain firefighting operations were not disrupted, but contractors warn the message to crews—especially those with mixed-status families—will be clear: show up to help, and you might be questioned or detained.
Lawmakers press for answers
Senators Murray and Wyden demanded an explanation from the Trump administration about why immigration enforcement was deployed at a wildfire site and how decisions were made to run identity checks on a mixed crew during an active fire.
They have asked federal agencies to account for how operations like this protect, rather than threaten, public safety. Their concern: if immigrant crews pull back, fewer trained people will perform the toughest jobs on the line—from fireline support to camp logistics.
CBP defended the operation as routine verification tied to federal contracts and access to a sensitive site. The agency noted that two people were arrested and later transferred to a facility in Bellingham, Washington. Attorneys for the detained workers said at least one man, a resident of Keizer, Oregon, had a pending application for a U visa, a humanitarian benefit for victims of certain serious crimes who assist law enforcement. Lawyers also alleged CBP concealed the man’s location and blocked contact with counsel and family.
Legal groups, including Innovation Law Lab, say that denying access to a lawyer or family runs against due process rights and basic fairness. Immigration attorneys add that when arrests happen at emergency sites, the effect reaches far beyond the individuals detained. Workers may fear any contact with federal authorities, even when they are authorized to work or have pending cases. That fear, they say, is what endangers communities facing fast-moving fires.
“The risk is real: if immigrant crews pull back, fewer trained people will do the toughest jobs on the line.”
Due process and visa questions
A pending U visa application can complicate deportation, though it does not guarantee protection from arrest or removal. Applicants typically file Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- USCIS explains the program and eligibility on its official page: U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa)
- The form itself is available here: Form I-918
Attorneys for the arrested worker emphasized his application should weigh against quick removal, especially while he seeks legal protections Congress created to aid crime victims.
CBP said it followed standard procedures, but attorneys allege the agency failed to give timely updates on custody location. If accurate, those claims raise questions about access to counsel—a core issue in immigration detention.
Federal agencies have not released detailed public guidance on how they de-conflict immigration enforcement with emergency response operations, leaving communities, contractors, and local governments to guess how future incidents might unfold.
VisaVerge.com reports that such field arrests can sow confusion among mixed-status crews, even when the target is limited to support roles. According to VisaVerge.com’s analysis, the optics of agents at a wildfire site can push lawful permanent residents, visa holders, and U.S. citizen family members to avoid deployments, fearing mistaken identity or collateral questioning. That chilling effect is difficult to measure but easy to feel in crew rosters.
Operational fallout for the Bear Gulch fire and beyond
The Bear Gulch fire provided a stark backdrop: a major burn demanding steady manpower amid rugged terrain. Contractors say the loss of two firms and the specter of immigration enforcement could thin the pool of available teams in the peak of fire season.
While federal officials insist they did not detain active firefighters, the message to camps and incident command posts is hard to control once news spreads. Private firms also face uncertainty over vetting responsibilities and potential penalties when workers with complex immigration histories are on call.
Practical concerns:
- Incident commanders rely on contract labor to feed crews, haul supplies, and keep equipment safe and running.
- If those jobs go unfilled, frontline firefighters may face more strain, longer shifts, and fewer rest cycles.
- Local communities near Olympic National Forest—already coping with smoke, closures, and threats to property—depend on a fast, well-staffed response.
Critics argue that timing immigration enforcement at wildfire sites risks slowing response and fraying trust with immigrant communities that have been central to forest work for decades.
The Trump administration has emphasized tougher immigration enforcement in workplaces and among federal contractors. Supporters say enforcing the law—even at emergency sites—maintains integrity and deters fraud. Opponents counter that enforcement tools should not be used in ways that deter urgent public safety work.
Senators Murray and Wyden are pushing for briefings and policy reviews, and they have signaled possible hearings if agencies fail to provide clear answers.
Legal outlook and practical advice
Attorneys expect legal challenges focused on due process concerns, including access to counsel and family notifications. They also point to humanitarian claims, such as pending U visa filings, that can delay removal or provide future relief.
Practical recommendations for wildfire workers with immigration concerns:
- Keep copies of identity documents and any pending case receipts.
- Ensure family members know how to reach detention support hotlines.
- Consult immigration attorneys about pending humanitarian filings (e.g., U visa).
- Direct questions about CBP policies and detainee handling to official agency channels.
USCIS resources can help people confirm the right forms and evidence for humanitarian filings; see the U visa page linked above for official guidance.
Current status and broader implications
CBP has not announced further actions at the Bear Gulch fire, and federal agencies continue to insist operations were safe and uninterrupted. Yet the fallout is clear: a pair of arrests, canceled contracts, and a new wave of fear in a workforce that emergency managers count on when fires spread.
As the Pacific Northwest braces for more dry weeks, lawmakers, contractors, and immigrant families are watching closely for clearer rules on how immigration enforcement will be handled at disaster sites. Whether new guidance emerges—and whether it rebuilds trust—may decide who shows up the next time the call comes.
This Article in a Nutshell
On August 27, 2025, federal agents from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and CBP conducted identity verifications at a Bear Gulch fire work site in Olympic National Forest. They checked 44 firefighters and support workers and arrested two individuals present unlawfully, one with an outstanding removal order; the detainees were transferred to a facility in Bellingham. DHS said the arrested workers performed support roles, not active firefighting. The operation prompted criticism from Senators Patty Murray and Ron Wyden, who warned it could deter immigrant crews and jeopardize wildfire response. Two contractors—Table Rock Forestry and ASI Arden Solutions Inc.—lost federal contracts after the arrests. Attorneys allege at least one detained worker had a pending U visa application and that CBP restricted access to counsel and family, raising due process concerns. Federal agencies have not provided clear guidance on how immigration enforcement should be coordinated with emergency operations, and lawmakers have requested briefings and possible policy reviews to prevent future disruptions.
