If you would like more information about what’s happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. Please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.
Posted on 09/26/2025 8:13:35 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
An Oregon firefighter is back home after spending nearly a month in immigration detention following his arrest while battling an active blaze, his legal team confirmed on Thursday.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released Rigoberto Hernandez, 23, from the Northwest ICE Processing Center following intervention from immigration attorneys and a federal lawsuit, according to court documents obtained by ABC News.
Hernandez was detained on Aug. 27 while working to contain the Bear Gulch Fire, documents show. Border Patrol agents, working alongside Bureau of Land Management officers, conducted immigration checks within a restricted emergency zone, his attorneys said.
Legal representatives at the Innovation Law Lab claim federal agents held Hernandez alone for more than 48 hours after he exercised his constitutional right to remain silent during questioning.
The young firefighter's detention sparked backlash from immigration advocacy groups and his legal team, who say they argued that such enforcement actions at disaster sites violate long-standing federal policies.
Hernandez's legal team says he has deep roots in the United States, where he has lived since 4 years old, growing up between Oregon, Washington and California.
Despite initiating the immigration process in 2018 through a U-visa application, he remains caught in extensive government processing delays, his legal team said. On Sept. 23, immigration officials dropped their case against Hernandez, according to court records. However, the federal officials can still reopen the case in the future if they choose to do so.
The case has raised questions about immigration enforcement practices during emergency response situations. Advocacy groups argue that such arrests could deter qualified individuals from participating in critical emergency services.
Hernandez's attorneys at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and Innovation Law Lab said they have secured his release after filing emergency legal motions in federal court. A petition for habeas corpus remains pending.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
At least kudos to Hernandez for initiating the immigration process in 2018. So many live here 30 or 40 years and never do that.
He was in a contract company under investigation BEFORE the fire.
Never involved in fighting THAT fire.
His company was assigned to a nearby city to “chop firewood”.
Arrest him and the company owner who hired him. If we really needed foreign labor for firefighting season they can use the same visa the farm laborers use to legally work here.
He apparently had legal status. A coin-toss, in Oregon. But, yeah...go sfter the employers of illegals. Most of them probably have fake documentation sufficient to satisfy limited curiosity.
He is still illegal. Deport him.
Innovation Law Lab is a Portland, OR-based legal nonprofit that uses data and legal services to advocate for immigrants’ rights.
Grants and funding
Meyer Memorial Trust:
Provided a $200,000 grant to Innovation Law Lab in 2023 for its work with immigrants.
Federal Grants:
Innovation Law Lab has received federal grant awards to fund its various initiatives, such as those related to the SB 1543 clearinghouse services.
State of Oregon Funding:
The organization serves as the clearinghouse for the Equity Corps program, a statewide initiative funded by the state of Oregon to provide immigration legal services.
If you would like more information about what’s happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. Please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.