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Patty Murray, a senator from Washington, has urged the Trump administration to offer "swift clarification" regarding reports that two firefighters were taken into custody by border agents while responding to a wildfire in the state.
Federal immigration officials carried out an operation on Wednesday at the Bear Gulch fire, a blaze covering nearly 9,000 acres (3,600 hectares) in the Olympic National Forest, where they detained two members of a contracted firefighting crew, according to initial reports by the *Seattle Times*. The fire remains the largest active wildfire in the state.
Authorities required the firefighters to present identification, the *Seattle Times* reported. One firefighter told the publication that their colleagues were not allowed to bid farewell to those detained.
"I asked if his coworkers could say goodbye because they’re like family, but they were taken away without warning," the firefighter told the *Seattle Times*, adding that a federal agent used harsh language and ordered them to leave.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism in the state. In a statement released Thursday, Murray pressed for details on the detained firefighters' status and questioned the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement during wildfire emergencies.
In separate developments, the White House has asked a military base near Chicago to aid in immigration-related activities as the Trump administration prepares to expand its oversight of Democratic-led cities with sanctuary policies.
On Thursday, the Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) confirmed receiving an inquiry from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for logistical assistance, including facilities and infrastructure, as reported by the Associated Press.
An NSGL representative stated that no final decision had been made regarding the request and that there was no formal directive to involve the National Guard. CuriosityNews has contacted NSGL for additional comments.
A DHS spokesperson told CuriosityNews: "The administration’s priority is ensuring public safety. Federal law enforcement is focused on apprehending individuals who pose significant threats, including violent criminals and others who endanger communities. Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, ICE and CBP are enforcing immigration laws as directed."
This move follows the administration’s recent federal intervention in Washington, DC, which included deploying the National Guard, assuming control of local law enforcement, and increasing immigration-related arrests and deportations.
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