September 24, 2025

Wyden Helps Secure the Release of Oregon Firefighter from ICE Facility

Firefighter was detained without cause while on the fire line in Washington state last month

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced today that he has helped secure the release of an Oregon firefighter, Mr. Rigoberto Hernandez, who was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and subsequently detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, while fighting the Bear Gulch fire in Washington state last month.

“Today’s release makes clear that ICE had no business in detaining someone who has followed all the laws and put their life on the line to keep our communities safe from Pacific Northwest infernos,” Wyden said. “If Donald Trump truly wanted to protect Americans, he should be going after the real criminals–not unsung heroes like Mr. Hernandez. I’m going to keep using every tool at my disposal to uphold the due process rights of our immigrant communities.”

“I am glad that I am home, and I am excited to see my family,” Hernandez said. “I want to give my thanks to everyone—for their prayers, for the rallies, for sharing about what happened to me and the other firefighter. So many people stepped up to help, and now I want to help others just like they helped me.”

Hernandez is a legal resident of Keizer, Oregon, and has a U visa pending since 2018.

Wyden has been a staunch defender of due process for immigrants during the Trump administration. He has partnered with the Oregon congressional delegation, including Representative Maxine Dexter and Senator Jeff Merkley to secure the release of four U.S. citizen Oregonian children detained by the Trump administration earlier this year, and to fight for the release of their immigrant mother detained at the same ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington.

Wyden has also sounded the alarm on the consequences this case could have on firefighter recruitment during future fire seasons. At a time when Western states are already struggling to secure enough firefighting personnel, Wyden has reiterated the need for protections for immigrants putting their lives on the line to protect communities from wildfires.

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