Masked bounty hunter threats upset Eastern WA town. Does ICE pay private trackers?

In a recent press conference in Sunnyside, WA, Martin Alvarado claimed that U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be paying private bounty hunters to detain undocumented immigrants, stating they could earn between $1,000 to $1,500 per arrest. Local officials, including City Manager Mike Gonzalez, quickly countered these claims, stating that ICE does not engage bounty hunters and that local law enforcement agencies do not collaborate with ICE on immigration enforcement. The incident has raised significant concerns within the Latino community, exacerbated by ongoing ICE operations that see nearly 1,000 arrests each day.

Alvarado's misleading comments were seen as an attempt to incite fear among residents, prompting officials to reaffirm their commitment to community safety and transparency. The city has emphasized that local law enforcement will never inquire about residents' immigration status. This situation underscores the broader anxieties related to immigration policy under the Trump Administration, highlighting the need for reform. Gonzalez advocates for a more straightforward and affordable pathway to citizenship, particularly for temporary agricultural workers. Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.