Border Patrol Arrests Firefighters at Bear Gulch Fire Sparks Outrage
Border Patrol agents arrested two firefighters working on the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington, alleging they were in the U.S. illegally after identifying discrepancies in their verification. The Bureau of Land Management had requested employment verification and subsequently terminated contracts with two companies involved in the fire. Senator Patty Murray condemned the arrests, demanding answers about the immigration enforcement policy during active wildfires. The incident is unusual as it contradicts prior Department of Homeland Security guidance stating immigration enforcement should not occur at emergency response sites unless under exigent circumstances.
John Q. Hosedrinker