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Controversy in the US after immigration police arrest two firefighters
A political storm erupted in the United States after two firefighters were arrested by immigration authorities while helping battle a massive wildfire in Washington State. The arrests, confirmed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), took place on Wednesday during an identity check of 44 firefighters deployed to fight the Bear Gulch Fire, which has already destroyed more than 3,600 hectares.
The two men were reportedly employed by private companies contracted to support firefighting operations. “We risked our lives here to save people, and this is how we are treated,” one firefighter told the Seattle Times anonymously.
According to CBP, the arrests did not disrupt firefighting efforts. The agency stated that the contracts with the two companies involved had been terminated following a criminal investigation, without providing further details.
The operation sparked a wave of criticism from Democratic officials. Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson expressed “deep concern,” while Senator Patty Murray condemned the move as “disgusting and unnecessary.” Representative Pramila Jayapal went further, calling the arrests “cruel and absurd,” accusing the Trump administration of prioritizing its anti-immigration agenda over public safety.