If ICE comes to Sammamish
There has been a significant increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) activity across the country since the 2024 presidential election, especially in blue states. Recently, fear and uncertainty came to a Sammamish-adjacent neighborhood with a confrontation in Issaquah and other arrests that followed.
On October 24, a young mother was arrested in Issaquah by ICE agents outside the Learning Nest Preschool at 430 Newport Way NW. Ring doorbell footage recorded the woman, now identified as Diana Romero, being loaded into an unmarked SUV by agents shortly after dropping off her son at his preschool.
The Issaquah School District addressed the issue on Monday, Oct. 27, releasing a general announcement regarding immigration enforcement in schools. The announcement reaffirmed support for the community, stating its mission of “creating a safe, welcoming environment where every child, regardless of immigration status, can thrive.”
The announcement cited Regulation 4300, which was adopted in January 2025 and limits immigration enforcement in Issaquah Schools. The Lake Washington School District has similar regulations pertaining to the presence of law enforcement on district grounds, per Code 4310P in the district’s administrative policies.
The Keep Washington Working Act (KWW), adopted in 2019, prohibits local and state law enforcement from arresting or detaining someone solely for an immigration offense. Furthermore, local law enforcement agencies cannot disclose nonpublicly available personal information to federal immigration authorities for civil cases like immigration unless presented with a legally issued court order.
The Sammamish Chief of Police, Steven Lysaght, clarified the role of the local police with respect to immigration policy in an email. “State law and department policy prohibit our officers from detaining someone based solely on immigration status,” Lysaght said.
The recent presence of ICE in Issaquah has raised concerns regarding what to do if ICE comes to Sammamish. There are things to know if you are a witness or a detainee.
If you witness an ICE arrest, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recommend recording the arrest from a safe distance, per first amendment rights. Do not intervene physically, as escalation can create criminal charges for the witness and the detainee.
A witness can contact a deportation defense hotline such as the Washington Immigration Solidarity Network (WAISN). If possible, collect key details such as the number of agents present, the location of the arrest, and the name and contact information of the detainee. Immigrant justice centers discourage witnesses from asking the individual’s immigration status or personal details during an arrest.
If you think you could be the subject of an ICE arrest, it is best to be informed about your rights and any course of action. Websites, such as Stop AAPI Hate, provide details, tips and resource information.
The constitutionality of many of these arrests is being challenged in numerous federal and district court cases as many seek to preserve and protect individual rights nationwide.
Lysaght reiterated that the Sammamish police department’s goal is to maintain a safe community for all living in the city.
“Our local police are here to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, regardless of immigration status, and encourage anyone in need of assistance to feel safe contacting them,” Lysaght said.
To find out more about the ICE arrest in Issaquah, click here. To follow reports of ICE activity, click here.
