Washington: ICE Building Attacked in Arson Incident

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Washington state, A violent demonstration outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility escalated into arson and property damage late Sunday, as rioters hurled objects, including a rock, and ignited a fire outside the government building.

According to federal law enforcement, the incident occurred at the ICE Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. Officials reported that an unidentified assailant launched a rock at the facility and later started a fire outside one of the building’s entrances. The attack prompted an immediate emergency response, though no injuries were reported among ICE personnel.

Footage shared online shows flames and smoke outside the structure, as law enforcement officers arrived at the scene to disperse individuals gathered in the vicinity. ICE agents were not harmed during the confrontation.

The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly reviewing the incident as part of an ongoing pattern of anti-government violence. Law enforcement sources indicate that federal investigators are working to identify the suspect responsible for setting the blaze.

This is not the first time the Tacoma facility has been the target of violent protest. In 2019, a 69-year-old man was fatally shot after attacking the same ICE building with incendiary devices and a rifle. That incident was widely condemned at the time and led to increased federal attention on extremist activities aimed at immigration authorities.

Sunday’s event underscores a continuing security concern for ICE facilities and federal employees in certain parts of the country. While protests and demonstrations are constitutionally protected, acts of violence and arson are treated as criminal offenses under federal law.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the fire, and no group has publicly claimed responsibility. ICE and other law enforcement agencies have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.

The ICE Northwest Detention Center is a privately run facility that houses detainees held on immigration-related charges. It has been the subject of frequent protests in recent years, with activists criticising U.S. immigration enforcement operations.

However, officials continue to stress the importance of lawful protest and the dangers posed when demonstrations turn destructive. The Department of Justice has not yet released an official statement on the incident.

As investigations continue, increased security measures are being considered for ICE offices across Washington state and potentially beyond, to prevent further threats or copycat actions.