The Trump administration extends its anti-crime strategy beyond Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., targeting Chicago and New York. Vice President JD Vance defends the plan, citing major crime reductions in U.S. cities.
Oregon Firefighter Detained by ICE After Arrest at Bear Gulch Wildfire in Washington
An Oregon firefighter is being held at the ICE detention facility in Tacoma following his arrest while battling the Bear Gulch fire in Washington. His case is one of two federal immigration arrests that occurred on the fire line Wednesday.
According to his attorney, Rodrigo Fernandez from Innovation Law Lab, the legal team struggled to locate him after the arrest. They finally made contact when he was allowed to call Friday morning. Fernandez claims federal agents did not provide assistance in locating his client and that searches through the ICE detainee locator system were unsuccessful, as his name still did not appear in the database.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed in a written statement that the arrests were made Wednesday at the request of the Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies. Officials emphasized that the action was unrelated to active firefighting operations, although concerns remain about the legality of detaining firefighters during emergency response efforts.
Oregon Firefighters Detained After Federal Investigation Sparks Outrage
The U.S. Forest Service has moved to terminate contracts with two Oregon-based private firefighting contractors following a federal criminal investigation. While agencies did not disclose details of the case, officials stated that during the process they discovered two firefighters were living in the U.S. without legal status.
Attorney Rodrigo Fernandez explained that his client has been in the country since the age of four and has called Oregon home for nearly 20 years. In 2018, he applied for a U-visa after he and his family became victims of a federal crime. Since then, he has been waiting for approval while dedicating the past three years to fighting dangerous wildfires across the state.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a statement claiming the contract terminations and enforcement actions did not interfere with active firefighting operations.
The arrests, however, have drawn sharp criticism from Oregon lawmakers. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas condemned the detentions, questioning how targeting firefighters makes Americans safer. She described the move as “inhumane” and a threat to community safety.
Congresswoman Maxine Dexter also voiced her concerns, stating that while the Pacific Northwest struggles with devastating wildfires, federal agents are arresting first responders instead of focusing on protecting communities. Dexter demanded answers from the Department of Homeland Security, accusing it of putting lives at risk with politically motivated enforcement.
Oregon Senator, Governors, and Police Chiefs Condemn Firefighter Arrests and Immigration Crackdown
Senator Ron Wyden strongly criticized the recent arrests of firefighters working to protect communities, saying the actions “don’t make us safer.” He called the move a political stunt that puts families in danger, accusing former President Donald Trump of using immigration enforcement for media attention.
Meanwhile, Portland Police Chief Bob Day stated that his department has not been informed of any plans to increase ICE presence in the city, despite recent comments from federal officials about expanding immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities like Portland. He confirmed that Portland police remain committed to supporting Oregon’s sanctuary laws and will not participate in immigration enforcement.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, along with 18 other Democratic governors, sent a joint letter to President Trump urging an end to what they described as chaotic federal interference in state National Guard operations. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson also signed the letter.
The governors stressed that every American deserves to feel safe in their communities. They criticized the administration for cutting critical federal funding for local law enforcement while politicizing the military. They called the actions an alarming abuse of power that undermines both state authority and the mission of service members.
Trump Administration Expands Anti-Crime Agenda to Major U.S. Cities
The Trump administration has already deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles to control protests and in Washington, D.C. to address rising crime. Now, President Trump is seeking to extend his anti-crime initiative to Chicago and potentially New York City.
Vice President JD Vance defended the administration’s plan, saying local leaders should prioritize addressing violence in their own communities instead of opposing federal efforts. According to Vance, the administration is not forcing federal intervention but is ready to assist if governors and mayors request help.
“The President has made it clear—we want state and local leaders to ask for support. At the same time, we believe we have the legal authority to restore safety on America’s streets if necessary,” Vance stated. He questioned why mayors and governors show more outrage at Trump’s offer of assistance than at the violence affecting their residents daily.
Vance also highlighted that rates of armed robberies, carjackings, and murders have dropped between 40% and 90% in some areas, pointing to the administration’s crime crackdown as evidence of success.