Immigration arrests surged last month in Washington

Federal immigration arrests in Washington soared to over 275 in June, marking a dramatic increase since President Trump took office. The Deportation Data Project revealed that the share of arrestees with prior criminal records dropped to under one-third, raising alarms among immigrant advocates. ACLU's Caedmon Magboo Cahill noted a heightened sense of fear among immigrant communities as ICE activity escalates. Tricia McLaughlin from Homeland Security defended the administration's strategy, focusing on detaining serious offenders like gang members and rapists. New congressional funding of $170 billion aims to bolster Trump's immigration enforcement agenda, potentially leading to even more ICE operations.

The Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma has experienced capacity strains due to increased detainee transfers. While Washington's rise in arrests pales compared to states like Idaho, local advocates stress the need for proactive community defenses against deportations. The ACLU reported a nearly fivefold increase in immigration-related calls, indicating growing community anxiety about enforcement actions.