Attempt To Burn Down US ICE Office In Washington Amid Crackdown On Illegal Immigrants

Last Updated:August 05, 2025, 23:23 IST

A suspected arsonist targeted a US immigration building in Washington, days after protests and rising anger over mass deportations.

A man tried to burn down a federal immigration office in Washington amid growing backlash against deportation drives. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

A suspected arsonist tried to set fire to a US immigration office in Yakima, Washington, over the weekend, in what appears to be a targeted attack amid growing tensions over deportations.

According to officials who spoke to the The New York Post, the attacker first threw a rock through a window of the building which is listed as a field office of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), before starting a fire behind the property on Saturday.

The New York-based newspaper, which was the first to report the development, said that photos from the scene show black smoke rising as flames charred the grass outside. No injuries were reported and federal immigration agents at the site escaped unhurt, it said.

American authorities have not named a suspect so far. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the incident to the newspaper.

The attempted arson comes at a time when deportation crackdowns have sparked anxiety in migrant communities, including among South Asians. ICE operations have picked up pace in recent weeks, with rising concerns about detentions and removals, especially of undocumented workers.

Yakima, Washington

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