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Joe Biden suspended immigration actions in wildfire emergency areas, directing agents to help in firefighting efforts
NYT:During the 2021 wildfire season, the Department of Homeland Security, under President Joe Biden, said that immigration enforcement would not be conducted in places where emergency relief was being provided, “absent exigent circumstances.” In the past, federal immigration agents have sometimes assisted firefighters with evacuation efforts.
DHS Statement on Safety and Immigration Enforcement During the 2021 Wildfire Season
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is concerned about the potential impact of the 2021 wildfire season to western and southwestern portions of the United States. Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety.
In consideration of these distressing circumstances, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reminds the public that ICE focuses its limited resources on national security, border security, and public safety threats.
Absent exigent circumstances, immigration enforcement will not be conducted at locations where disaster and emergency response and relief is being provided, such as along evacuation routes, sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones.
DHS officials do not and will not pose as individuals providing fire-related information as part of any enforcement activities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is concerned about the potential impact of the 2021 wildfire season to western and southwestern portions of the United States. Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety.
In consideration of these distressing circumstances, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reminds the public that ICE focuses its limited resources on national security, border security, and public safety threats.
Absent exigent circumstances, immigration enforcement will not be conducted at locations where disaster and emergency response and relief is being provided, such as along evacuation routes, sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones.
DHS officials do not and will not pose as individuals providing fire-related information as part of any enforcement activities.
The Bear Gulch fire was 13 percent contained as of Wednesday evening, officials said in an update. High temperatures and dry conditions have fueled what has been one of the worst wildfire seasons in the American West. Parts of Washington State were under a red flag warning early Thursday, and many roads, trails and campfires inside Olympic National Forest were closed.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/us/border-patrol-arrest-washington-wildfire.html
...Washington state should demand ICE leave at least two agents behind to replace the workers they took from this ongoing fire emergency.
Fighting the Bear Gulch fire in Washington State. Credit...U.S. Forest Service
Washington Governor Criticizes Border Patrol Arrests at Wildfire Site
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/us/border-patrol-arrest-washington-wildfire.html