Everett Lawmakers Seek Clarity on Forest Service’s Role in ICE Operations
A coalition of twelve Democratic members of Congress has urged the U.S. Forest Service to provide detailed information about its collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the detention of five men during a camping trip in Snohomish County.
The incident occurred over Labor Day weekend in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, specifically at Red Bridge Campground along the Mountain Loop Highway, east of Granite Falls. According to earlier reporting, Forest Service rangers approached the group first, collecting identification from several individuals. Hours later, ICE agents arrived and took into custody five adult men, four of whom remained in detention in Tacoma as of this past Monday.
On October 1, Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, and Kim Schrier, along with ten colleagues, delivered a formal letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. The letter expressed concern that the agency may be diverting resources and staff away from its core mission to assist with immigration enforcement activities on federal lands.
Lawmakers specifically sought confirmation about the rangers’ involvement in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie detentions, including how individuals were selected for referral to ICE. They also requested information about the agency’s participation in other ICE-led operations since President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025. One such case cited involved two wildland firefighters apprehended while actively fighting the Bear Gulch wildfire in Oregon last August.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency regarding the financial and operational framework of these partnerships. They asked whether funding for immigration-related activities has been shifted from existing priorities such as forest restoration, recreation access, and ecosystem management.
“Redirecting strained resources away from pressing natural resources, recreation and land management priorities, and towards immigration enforcement undermines the Forest Services mission to care for the land and serve people,” the letter stated.
The letter further requested copies of any formal memoranda or agreements between the Forest Service and the Department of Homeland Security, particularly those governing joint enforcement efforts.
Agency officials confirmed receipt of the letter in a Wednesday email, noting that its law enforcement and investigations division regularly coordinates with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to support public safety and law enforcement across national forest system lands. While clarifying that the agency does not directly administer immigration law, the Forest Service likened its role to that of state and local agencies enforcing hunting, fishing, and drug statutes on federal property.
Operations may be launched in response to criminal investigations, emerging public safety threats, or efforts to protect natural resources, the agency explained.
a regional outlet is now seeking specifics on which of those triggers applied in the case of the Red Bridge Campground operation. Lawmakers expect the Forest Service’s response by October 15.
Cross-Agency Operation Results in Arrests
A Homeland Security spokesperson, speaking on Thursday, confirmed that the U.S. Forest Service provided assistance to immigration enforcement authorities during the apprehension of multiple individuals from Mexico. The statement credited the cooperation between agencies for removing the men from American streets.
Federal officials said the accusations against the men involved allegations of driving without a license, negligent driving, and making a false statement.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated in an email that members of Congress should not be surprised when the federal government collaborates with itself, adding that every federal agency with a law enforcement arm is responsible for enforcing the nation's laws.