06/12/2026
Edit on June 13:
As indicated in the original statement, Steilacoom Public Safety was first notified of the enforcement activity after federal officials had already departed the area. There was no opportunity for Steilacoom Public Safety to have become involved in the investigation. Steilacoom Public Safety has no political opinion regarding our federal law enforcement partners. Steilacoom Public Safety supports the rule of law, and our goal is a community free from the fear of crime.
For additional context, pursuant with RCW 10.93.160 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=10.93.160), “The legislature finds that it is not the primary purpose of state and local law enforcement agencies or school resource officers to enforce civil federal immigration law. The legislature further finds that the immigration status of an individual or an individual's presence in, entry, or reentry to, or employment in the United States alone, is not a matter for police action, and that United States federal immigration authority has primary jurisdiction for enforcement of the provisions of Title 8 U.S.C. dealing with illegal entry” and “An individual must not be taken into custody, or held in custody, solely for the purposes of determining immigration status or based solely on a civil immigration warrant, or an immigration hold request.” As such, even had advance notice of the enforcement action been made available to local officials, any Washington State police officer would have been statutorily prohibited from providing specific assistance to the investigation or enforcement action.
Steilacoom Public Safety supports transparency in public safety operations. This transparency includes explaining what we did and did not do, and why.
Original post:
On June 12, 2026, at approximately 6:30 am, apparent uniformed federal immigration enforcement officials operating unmarked vehicles with red and blue emergency lights activated, pursued a vehicle through the Western State Hospital parking lot, onto Sentinel Drive, and the chase ultimately concluded in the parking lot of Steilacoom High School. The sole vehicle occupant, a middle-aged male, fled from the vehicle on foot, but was apprehended quickly thereafter. There are no indications that the involved driver was a staff member, student, parent, or was otherwise associated with the Steilacoom Historical School District. The vehicle involved was not registered to any address in Pierce County.
Neither the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety, nor the Town of Steilacoom, were involved in any capacity in any immigration investigation or enforcement. Steilacoom Public Safety was notified of the incident after all involved parties had already departed the area. Specific details of the incident were obtained through witness observations obtained and other circumstances observed at the scene after the incident concluded.
In consideration of this event coinciding with the final day of school, public safety officers will increase presence at our school facilities.
