ICE Releases Oregon Firefighter Detained During Washington Wildfire After Legal Battle

Rigoberto Hernandez, a 23-year-old Oregon firefighter, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while battling the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington state. Hernandez, who has lived in the U.S. since he was four and had applied for a U-visa in 2018, was held for nearly four weeks at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma after being arrested by Border Patrol agents during an active wildfire response. His detention sparked backlash from immigration advocacy groups and legal representatives who argued that enforcement actions at disaster sites violated federal policies and due process rights. Following a federal lawsuit and legal pressure, ICE dropped the case and released Hernandez without a judge's order, acknowledging the lack of justification for his arrest. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden also credited his efforts in securing Hernandez's release and criticized the enforcement actions against a firefighter protecting the community. Hernandez expressed gratitude for the support he received and hopes to help others as he was helped during his ordeal.