Surge in Immigration Arrests Reported in Washington State

Latest ICE data shows over 2,100 people arrested in WA between October and early March

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:10am

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A realistic, moody painting of a lone immigration enforcement vehicle parked on a dimly lit city street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of quiet tension and unease.The surge in immigration arrests in Washington has cast a somber, cinematic mood over the state's communities, as federal agents increasingly target individuals without criminal records.Olympia Today

Federal immigration authorities arrested over 2,100 people in Washington between October and early March, according to newly released data. This marks an intensification in President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the state, with the total arrests equating to about 13 a day during the five-month period. The surge has been fueled in part by increasing arrests of immigrants without criminal records, despite Trump's stated focus on criminals.

Why it matters

The surge in immigration arrests in Washington has raised concerns among immigrant rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers about the impact on families and communities. The data provides a glimpse into the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement in the state, which has included a focus on detaining individuals without criminal records.

The details

Between October 2024 and early March 2025, under both Biden and Trump, ICE arrested fewer than 400 people in Washington. However, the latest data shows that between October 2025 and early March 2026, ICE arrested over 2,100 people in the state, a significant increase. About a quarter of those arrested had a criminal conviction, while 26% faced pending charges, a slight drop from the rest of Trump's term.

  • Between October 2024 and early March 2025, ICE arrested fewer than 400 people in Washington.
  • Between October 2025 and early March 2026, ICE arrested over 2,100 people in Washington.
  • In January 2026, ICE arrested over 400 people in Washington.
  • In February 2026, ICE arrested roughly 225 people in Washington, in line with national trends.
  • In the first 10 days of March 2026, ICE arrested just under 90 people in Washington.

The players

Patty Murray

U.S. Senator from Washington, a Democrat, who criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics.

Malou Chávez

Executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, who discussed the impact of the increased arrests on families and communities.

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What they’re saying

“This administration is detaining people indiscriminately — and in too many cases, unlawfully. Moms and dads without any criminal records are being torn away from their kids. This administration isn't going after the worst of the worst — they're rounding up parents and farmworkers who haven't committed a crime.”

— Patty Murray, U.S. Senator

“We have heard stories of youth having to take on the role of caretakers for their younger siblings. We have also heard of teenagers having to take on jobs to be able to contribute financially. And then we hear about the level of fear that this is causing with so many unknowns and so many uncertainties, and there is both that heightened fear, feelings of defeat and despair, but also, I think, to a certain degree, what we're also seeing is community members stepping up to support those that are impacted. And there is some hope.”

— Malou Chávez, Executive Director, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

The takeaway

The surge in immigration arrests in Washington highlights the Trump administration's continued focus on aggressive immigration enforcement, even as concerns grow about the impact on families and communities. The data provides a window into the administration's tactics, which have included a greater emphasis on detaining individuals without criminal records, despite the stated focus on targeting criminals.