READER REPORTS: ICE in West Seattle

That texted photo – with POLICE/ICE visible on at least one vest – came with one of two reports we’ve had in the past hour of apparent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in West Seattle. As the street signs confirm, this was south of Westwood Village, as the texter pointed out. Another reader messaged us less than an hour ago:

ICE was just by the Salvation Army on Barton and 16th they had a brown skinned person in handcuffs. Came back by and they were gone. Police vest with faces covered and an unmarked black SUV, blacked windows.
Flashing lights. Paramilitary gear.

And this photo is from Delridge/Cloverdale on Thursday – one officer’s vest also clearly says POLICE/ICE:

That reader wrote, “I saw two men get taken into custody.”

These are certainly not the first ICE sightings in our area but the first ones in which we’ve received photos with personnel in vests marked not just POLICE but also ICE. We’re reporting it because of public interest, as with the other types of public-safety responses we cover.

FedUp June 13, 2026 (12:26 pm)

So… why are they wearing masks?https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5855-S.PL.pdf#page=1

Sixbuck June 14, 2026 (11:31 am)

Supremacy Clause. Look it up and educate yourself.
- WS98 June 15, 2026 (7:39 am)
  
  Except it’s not a settled issue, lawsuits are ongoing in states that have implemented laws against mask wearing (with proper exceptions) and 25+ states are in the process of passing laws. Masks are not part of the uniform, they’re a personal decision. It’s Worth noting that until Trump became president, ICE agents had never before worn masks.
Daniel June 14, 2026 (12:55 pm)

I guess it depends on whether or not there’s law enforcement that will enforce that in WA, and whether the WA AG office will be willing to take up the case in federal court to determine whether or not there’s jurisdiction to regulate federal law enforcement at a state level like that. I have no clue myself.

Michael Waldo June 13, 2026 (12:29 pm)

Fascism comes to West Seattle.I want to see their warrants, signed by a judge that the courts have said they must do.

ActuallyMike June 13, 2026 (12:31 pm)

Thanks for posting these. Why are these guys afraid to show their faces? Decent and law-abiding people don’t go around with masks on. It’s helpful to ID the vehicles they’re traveling in, if possible–make, model, license number(s), photos if you can get them. We’ll be on the lookout.

WS Resident July 3, 2026 (6:25 pm)

Unfortunately, Mike, they swap the plates around (because that’s totally another thing that trustworthy, legitimate law enforcement does as routine, riiiight?). They also hide their lights in the wheel wells, use heavily tinted windows, etc.Please DO make efforts to ID the vehicles, just be aware that these tactics are in play.

Concerned citizen June 13, 2026 (12:55 pm)

Thank you so much. I let some friends of color know. Even though they are citizens I worry for their safety. Love not hate.

Lucy June 13, 2026 (12:58 pm)

It would be wise not to interfere with federal law enforcement.

am June 15, 2026 (6:46 am)

Lest they shoot you dead for exercising your rights?
WS98 June 15, 2026 (7:44 am)

But it would be wise to lawfully record interactions of federally sponsored abductions so that people know who was taken. You can only imagine when they’re done with this round, what group of people are next. It’s not conspiracy oriented to state that our democracy is in serious trouble; they won’t stop until they have full power and control.

Joy June 13, 2026 (1:48 pm)

Wow! Is this the first confirmed abduction in Seattle proper? Know there have been many in White Center, Burien and Renton.

Leslie K. Brown June 13, 2026 (1:57 pm)

Please always always report it, I am frequently in the area

Laurie Reinhardt June 13, 2026 (2:17 pm)

An increase in ICE activity is unfortunately eminent. West Seattle Indivisible will sponsor Constitutional Observer Training June 27th 12-1:30pm at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Learn how to make informed choices if/when you encounter ICE as you go about your daily life. Join us! Learn more: hello@westseattleindivisible.com.

ICE aren’t Police June 13, 2026 (2:24 pm)

You know it’s ok to say something in addition to taking photos. It’s our responsibility as neighbors to protect each other.

bill June 14, 2026 (8:18 am)

But ICE has proved to employ ruffians. Which is probably too quaint a description. Thugs.

Name June 13, 2026 (2:28 pm)

The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network has a hotline available for anyone who witnesses ICE/ICE action: https://waisn.org/what-we-do/deportation-defense/hotline/this enables them to better support anyone affected. They have additional information on their website too!

Tommy June 13, 2026 (3:11 pm)

Awesome!

WS98 June 13, 2026 (3:23 pm)

Come on West Seattle, let’s rally and stand up for the people going about their work day…for us!! Wish I had known, would have been there in a heartbeat to video and get the names of the people abducted by ICE.

Steve June 13, 2026 (3:28 pm)

Thank you for reporting this. My mother was imprisoned at Tule Lake for 3 years. My father was imprisoned at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Their crime was being American-born US citizens, Nisei (2nd generation ) Japanese. I’ll Never Forget, while others refuse to Remember.

FICE June 13, 2026 (3:38 pm)

I wish I was not at work so I could tell them to leave.

Sixbuck June 13, 2026 (3:57 pm)

Yeah, ICE! Enforce the laws

West seattle neighbor June 13, 2026 (4:06 pm)

Thank you for reporting this. They are not welcome here.

David June 13, 2026 (10:23 pm)

Speak for yourself “WS Neighbor”I’ve lived in West Seattle my entire 57 years of life except for a few years in the Navy 35 years ago. ICE is always welcome here as far as myself and other patriotic people are concerned.
- Helen June 13, 2026 (11:50 pm)
  
  Hi David. I appreciate your patriotism and your service to our country. I agree with WS Neighbor. I don’t welcome a masked police force that detains community members going about their daily business. The training for ICE officers has been shortened so much that many don’t fully understand the laws that they are operating under – including the constitution. The current ICE squad method of operation appears to be designed less for protection of citizens and country and more for sowing fear among residents both legal and otherwise. Fear is not a sound foundation for democracy. A well informed public is. I’ve registered for constitutional observer training. I hope others do too.
  - Admiral Mom June 14, 2026 (7:51 am)
    
    Beautiful response Helen. Much nicer than what I would have said. Thank you for caring. Where do we register for the training you cited?
    - add June 14, 2026 (2:29 pm)
      
      Register for virtual or in-person Constitutional Observation training here: http://www.westseattleindivisible.com/events-actions (scroll down to find the session dates and details).
  - Canton June 14, 2026 (8:00 am)
    
    Honest question… The US has a population of 349 million people. The planet has 8.3 billion people. How do we take in the entire planet’s population, when we can’t take care of the people we currently have. How many people have you personally funded with your current residence?
    - Duwamesque June 14, 2026 (11:54 am)
      
      Honester question: how did the American education system get so bad that this comment was able to be written?
  - LMJB June 14, 2026 (10:32 am)
    
    110% agree with this.
- bill June 14, 2026 (8:24 am)
  
  David, you might scan back in your family history, read some un-Bowderlized American history, and consider how your immigrant ancestors were treated. Unless they were WASPs there was a time when they were undesirables.
- THOMAS June 14, 2026 (9:48 am)
  
  totally agree with you
- Concerned Joe June 14, 2026 (8:14 pm)
  
  I’d hardly call bootlicking patriotic. It’s fascist. Sad to know there’s bigots and racists among my WS community. Hoping these ghouls are among the minority.

Government Led Kidnapping June 13, 2026 (4:39 pm)

ICE detentions are nothing more than government sponsored kidnapping. Thank you WSB for keeping us informed, lest we become complacent. What ICE is doing is shameful and unAmerican! Let your representatives at all government levels know about this travesty.

bolo June 13, 2026 (7:17 pm)

These photos are interesting. I heard several times that at least part of this version of ICE’s mission is to catch the worst criminals. Worst of the worst. So by judging from these photos the inference I make is that the worst criminals are now masquerading as landscapers and construction workers.

Sixbuck June 13, 2026 (11:32 pm)

Can a landscaper or a construction worker not be a bad person, say a pedophile or such?
- CatLady June 14, 2026 (12:31 am)
  
  If you’re looking to catch pedophiles there’s a whole lot of them who’ve been named in the Epstein files (including the orange menace currently squatting in the White House) and NONE of them have been arrested or are facing any sort of punishment. I’d recommend you start there.
- Admiral Mom June 14, 2026 (7:52 am)
  
  Of course! So can (and you have one in office) white men.
- bill June 14, 2026 (8:26 am)
  
  Recently, famous pedophiles have turned out to be Republicans.
- Westwood June 14, 2026 (10:37 am)
  
  I mean, if a US president can, why not?
anonyme June 14, 2026 (5:52 am)

You mean, instead of masquerading as presidents and CEO’s? I have personal knowledge of a construction worker who is a registered sex offender; employers can collect stipends for hiring them. Bottom line, there are criminals in all walks of life.
k June 14, 2026 (4:00 pm)

ICE’s mission is NOT to catch the worst criminals. ICE is a civil enforcement agency. Their job is to enforce missed court dates, overstaying visas, and other immigration infractions. States and federal criminal law enforcement are in charge of apprehending and prosecuting criminals. The US Marshals are the ones who round the criminals up when law enforcement agencies can’t. Not ICE. That is not what the agency was created to do. Nothing about how ICE has been used during the Trump information is how Bush, Jr. intended the agency to work when he created it, and almost none of it is legal. If an agency isn’t following the law themselves, they have no credibility and no place in our society , let alone our neighborhoods. This is not law enforcement with due process, this is state-sponsored kidnapping.

Jim Jones June 13, 2026 (7:40 pm)

Thank you for reporting this. They are always welcome here!

Admiral Mom June 14, 2026 (7:53 am)

They are not welcome in Admiral
alkiannie June 14, 2026 (9:04 am)

No. They aren’t.
Ly June 20, 2026 (6:00 pm)

They are not welcome here in Admiral either.

Lisa June 13, 2026 (7:41 pm)

Thank you for reporting on this. For anyone interested in helping, please join NDLON, National Day Labor Organizing Network. You can adopt a corner and keep an eye open for ICE!

Rae June 13, 2026 (8:25 pm)

This is pretty standard stuff for a mega event like a World Cup. They aren’t here to conduct raids or anything like that, it’s more targeted on safety due to the size of crowds. Things like trafficking and drugs. Counterfeit merchandise and tickets that are a part of larger transnational crime. It’s nothing new, it’s pretty standard stuff for an event this large. It’s a GOOD thing.

alkiannie June 14, 2026 (10:20 pm)

Good lawd, Rae, where do you get your news? So much misinformation in one post.

amydd June 13, 2026 (9:48 pm)

West Seattle Indivisible is hosting “Constitutional Observation” training – equipping community members to step up to help ensure that constitutional rights are respected during law enforcement and immigration activity. This training prepares people to observe, document and report what they witness, centering the people being targeted, in service of accountability, safety, and our shared democratic values. Virtual sessions are offered on Tuesday evenings in June and an in-person training is scheduled for June 27. More info here: https://www.westseattleindivisible.com/events-actions

Daddio June 13, 2026 (10:35 pm)

If I see ICE agents I’ll buy them a pizza.

Pizza Guy June 14, 2026 (4:30 pm)

Probably made by an illegal immigrant….
WSzombie June 14, 2026 (5:49 pm)

And I’ll buy them a beer.
- Pizza Guy June 15, 2026 (1:20 pm)
  
  I love pizza & beer and all immigrants 💯

Grateful June 13, 2026 (10:48 pm)

Thank you for reporting this. Grateful to live in a country who respects our citizens and laws enough to hold illegal immigrants accountable.

CatLady June 14, 2026 (12:38 am)

This has nothing to do with “respecting citizens” or “holding immigrants accountable”, you’re just xenophobic and suffering from the delusion that being born in the US (something which you had literally no control over) somehow makes you better than people who immigrated here. Also, for the millionth time, immigration is a *civil* issue, you don’t need a paramilitary force throwing people in concentration camps to handle it.
LBD June 14, 2026 (6:57 am)

Are you aware that there’s a sizeable number of brown skinned asylum seekers who have followed the laws yet are getting swept up by these masked people and detained? Some are detained for days, some for weeks, some for even longer. Yet they are here legally. How is that patriotic? How is that enforcing the law?
- k June 15, 2026 (6:57 am)
  
  A co-worker of mine came here on a tourist visa, was approved to stay as an asylum-seeker and currently has a valid work visa on top of his asylum case, and was detained. He has not committed any crimes in the United States or his country of origin, not even a parking ticket. He is not even accused of committing any crimes in the United States, he hasn’t missed any check-ins with immigration. They have quotas and found his name on a list. That’s why he was detained. He is a good man with a beautiful family who has contributed a lot to his community.
  
  We were luckily able to contact his family and help them pay for a private attorney who was able to get a hearing in front of a judge (most are not so lucky). They showed the court documents verifying his clean criminal records here and in his country of origin, contradicting claims ICE was making about why they arrested him. The judge ordered him released, but now both his job and his status in the US are in jeopardy pending the outcome of upcoming hearings. What ICE is doing has nothing to do with immigration enforcement or making us safer, they’re mass deporting brown people, full stop. And it’s gross to see people championing ethnic cleansing in the US. They are NOT welcome here and never will be.
bill June 14, 2026 (8:28 am)

I’d tolerate the tax-paying sub-minimum wage illegals in exchange for living in a country that holds wealthy tax cheats accountable.
- alkiannie June 14, 2026 (10:42 am)
  
  @bill… how beautifully said.

Dog Whisperer June 14, 2026 (6:59 am)

Taxpayers expect our local peace officers to coordinate and cooperate with our federal peace officers seamlessly. Anything less is a ripoff for we taxpayers.

WS98 June 15, 2026 (8:11 am)

This might be the case under normal circumstances when laws are being followed. Current times are anything but normal. DHS is giving piles of money to sheriffs departments across the country who sign an agreement to help them with the round ups. Imagine if all that money went toward police departments so they could capture actual criminals. How many stories daily are there on the blog where there’s been gunfire, robberies at gunpoint knifepoint and so on. The dangerous criminal immigrant story is a false flag narrative. The majority of dangerous criminals in this country are Americans.
WS98 June 15, 2026 (8:22 am)

This might be the case under normal circumstances, where there are checks/balances and when laws are being followed. Current times are anything but normal. DHS is giving piles of money to sheriffs departments (the majority are Republican) across the country who sign an agreement to help them with the round ups. Imagine if all that money went toward police departments where crime was the highest so they could capture actual criminals. How many stories daily are there on the blog about gunfire, armed robberies, stolen vehicles, break-ins, etc. How many EO’s has Trump signed to remove civil rights long established? The dangerous criminal immigrant story is a false flag narrative. The majority of dangerous criminals in this country are Americans.

Admiral Mom June 14, 2026 (7:56 am)

Do you realize they are presumed to be undocumented because of the color of their skin? I am an American citizen born in another country and I do not carry my naturalization documents or my passport. Do you expect me to bring those everywhere so I am not kidnapped?

Lauren June 14, 2026 (11:31 am)

Admiral Mom, I can only imagine how scary this must be for someone in your shoes. Sending empathy and solidarity.
geneseehillneighbor June 14, 2026 (7:39 pm)

My husband has to carry around his passport card and his enhanced license, for this same fear.

Citizen Joe June 14, 2026 (11:58 am)

Make no mistake, ICE, CBP, and DHS are this fascist regime’s terrorist squads. If the Germans on their TV and social media clearly see the parallels between their stained history and current USA events, why do we have such a hard time seeing the same?

Joe June 14, 2026 (6:00 pm)

Helen and Catlady 👍👍👍👍

PidgeonPointPerson June 15, 2026 (9:03 am)

Get’em boys! I, for one, fully support these guys!

Concerned Neighbor July 2, 2026 (1:49 pm)

For anyone supporting what ICE is doing: there are a large number of non-new recruits pulled from other agencies doing important CSAM tracking work. Even if you are turning a blind eye to the human rights abuses taking place, the patchwork org we call ICE is a cancer leeching from programs with a track record of keeping children and U.S. Citizens safe. Don’t just take my word for it. Watch some interviews with actual ICE agents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkjvJRiHEq4

Sorry, comment time is over.