Summary
Two firefighters in Washington State were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents because they were in the country illegally. They were part of a crew working to contain a wildfire on the Olympic Peninsula. This action led to a debate over immigration enforcement at emergency sites.
Key Facts
- Two firefighters were arrested for being in the U.S. illegally while working on a wildfire in Washington State.
- They were hired by private firefighting contractors.
- The arrest took place during efforts to control the 9,000-acre Bear Gulch Fire.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated they found discrepancies in firefighter rosters.
- The U.S. Bureau of Land Management ended contracts with two contractor firms at the fire site.
- All 42 contractor firefighter staff were escorted off federal land.
- The arrests were made for illegal entry and re-entry into the U.S.
- The Bear Gulch Fire started in July due to human activity and was 13% contained at the time.
