Over the weekend, federal immigration agents in Yakima, Washington, narrowly avoided an arson attack at their office, according to reports.
An unidentified person reportedly initiated the incident by throwing a rock through a window of the building—designated as a field office based on the ICE website—before setting fire to the rear of the property on Saturday, as noted by Homeland Security Advisor Tricia McLaughlin.
Images captured from the scene showed flames engulfing grass behind a chain-link fence surrounding the office.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
McLaughlin mentioned that while immigration agents were not specifically targeted, the building prominently displays a sign identifying it as part of the Homeland Security Agency.
This office is situated about 140 miles southeast of Seattle, and serves as part of the local Social Health Services Bureau.
Notably, the number of attacks on ICE officials has surged by 830% during the Trump administration’s push for an extensive deportation initiative, McLaughlin stated.
She criticized sanctuary leaders for their rhetoric, which she believes has contributed to this surge in violence against immigration agents.
McLaughlin pointed to Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and others, suggesting that their statements have led to increased hostility toward ICE officers. “The violent language used by politicians in these sanctuary areas goes too far,” she remarked.
She reiterated a warning from Secretary Kristi Noem, stating that anyone who harms a law enforcement officer will face the full weight of the law.
Investigators have classified the incident as arson, and no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, in another recent incident in Los Angeles, protesters targeted federal officials at a downtown detention center, escalating tension that followed a local deportation event.
In response to the unrest, President Trump dispatched 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to restore order in the area.
