Rigoberto Hernandez Hernandez, an Oregon firefighter, was detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents on August 27 while he was actively fighting a wildfire in the Olympic National Forest. His legal team has since filed a petition requesting his release from an immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington.
Hernandez was a part of a 44-person crew combating the significant Bear Gulch Fire, which has burned approximately 29 square miles and remains largely uncontrolled. His lawyers argued during a press conference that Hernandez's arrest violated policies that prohibit immigration enforcement at sites of emergency responses.
The actions taken against Hernandez, who has been employed as a wildland firefighter for three seasons, have drawn attention amid claims that he and another firefighter were working in violation of immigration laws. Federal officials clarified that they were cutting logs for firewood and not directly fighting fires, although this distinction has been challenged by their defense.
Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin stated that the firefighting response continued without disruption during the detentions, contradicting claims of interference. However, Hernandez's family expressed concern over his whereabouts for 48 hours following his detention.
Having submitted a U-Visa application in 2018—intended for crime victims aiding federal investigations—Hernandez's legal status remains in limbo, with his attorneys advocating for his release during this process. As the fire burns on, Hernandez's case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and emergency response actions.
