Firefighter arrested at Washington state wildfire released by ICE

Wildland firefighter Rigoberto Hernandez was released from ICE detention after nearly four weeks, following his arrest while fighting a wildfire in Washington state. His legal team, including the Northwest Immigration Rights Project and Innovation Law Lab, filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that his arrest violated due process. The government subsequently dismissed its removal proceedings against him, acknowledging there was no justification for the enforcement action. Hernandez, who has lived in the U. S.

since age four and has worked as a firefighter for three years, expressed his relief at returning home to his family. The immigration raid at the Bear Gulch fire raised significant alarm in the firefighting community, as it breached established protocols against disrupting emergency responders for immigration checks. Legal representatives continue to support Hernandez and emphasize the need for reform in immigration enforcement practices. Hernandez applied for a U-visa in 2018, which remains pending due to government backlogs. Advocates argue this incident highlights broader issues within the immigration enforcement system and its impact on community safety.