A veteran Oregon firefighter was detained by US Border Patrol agents while battling a massive wildfire in Washington and later deported to Mexico, sparking outrage and questions about immigration enforcement during natural disasters. José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, who had spent years protecting American communities from wildfires, says he feels “betrayed” after being arrested on duty and separated from his family. His story has ignited a national debate over immigration, justice, and the treatment of undocumented first responders.
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Arrest in the Forest
On 27 August, while responding to the Bear Gulch fire in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Cruz-Estrada and his Oregon-based crew were suddenly surrounded by four unmarked vehicles. The men inside were not fellow emergency responders but armed US Border Patrol agents. “We were fighting fires deep in the forest. I never thought this could happen,” he recalled. The agents checked IDs and arrested Cruz-Estrada and another firefighter, handcuffing them before taking them away as the wildfire burned, only 13% contained.
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Outrage Over Arrests
The arrests drew widespread condemnation from Democrats, firefighters, and immigrant rights advocates. For decades, disaster zones were considered off-limits for immigration enforcement. “Arresting first responders fighting a fire is a terrible idea,” said former ICE official Scott Shuchart, warning that such actions endangered both lives and property. Senator Patty Murray called the detentions “as immoral as they are dangerous,” blasting Trump-era immigration policies as “fundamentally sick.”
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Years of Service, Sudden Betrayal
Cruz-Estrada, 35, had worked as a firefighter since 2019, earning respect across Oregon for his dedication. “What if it were the [border patrol] officers’ house that was on fire? Would they still arrest me or would they let me do my job?” he said. Known for leading crews through treacherous conditions, he had also built a successful landscaping business, earning praise from Monmouth mayor Cecelia Koontz for being “super responsible” and “deeply committed to his work.”
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Roots in Oregon
Born in Mexico, Cruz-Estrada came to the United States at 12 and grew up in Independence, Oregon. His mother, a former wildland firefighter, inspired his career. “She was my hero,” he said. After years of odd jobs, he found his calling in firefighting, joining a private company that contracted with the government. He rose through the ranks to become an incident commander, helping train recruits and lead hazardous tree removal teams. “I felt like I belonged in the forest,” he said proudly.
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A Troubled Past Revived
In 2013, Cruz-Estrada’s name surfaced in a local drug investigation. Though not the main suspect, prosecutors accused him of acting as a “lookout.” He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, avoiding prison but making himself deportable. “It was devastating. I had a baby son,” he said. He was deported twice before returning in 2019 and rebuilding his life. “I wanted to make a positive impact and be recognized,” he said, calling his past “one mistake” he had worked to overcome.
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Border Patrol’s Defense
After the arrests, Border Patrol said it was assisting the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service in an investigation into “potential timecard fraud” by contracted fire crews. The agency said it discovered “discrepancies” while verifying identities and detained two men for unlawful entry. The Department of Homeland Security later issued a statement accusing reporters of “false reporting,” insisting that “the media’s ‘firefighters’ were actually criminal illegal aliens.” DHS cited Cruz-Estrada’s past conviction but omitted that serious charges were dismissed.
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Community in Shock
Cruz-Estrada’s deportation devastated the small town of Monmouth, where he had lived and worked for years. “It hit people really hard,” said Mayor Koontz. “He does such a great job and cares so much about his work.” His removal, she said, helped residents understand that immigration enforcement wasn’t targeting “the worst of the worst.” Cruz-Estrada remains in Mexico, separated from his son and mother. “It’s like one day you have a home and a life, and suddenly you’re not there anymore,” he said.
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Ongoing Legal Fallout
Rigoberto Hernandez, the other detained firefighter, has since been released and is pursuing a federal lawsuit, arguing his rights were violated. Cruz-Estrada sought protection under the Convention Against Torture, citing fears of cartel violence, but a judge denied his claim. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the arrests, saying the men “were not responding to any active emergency.” Cruz-Estrada, meanwhile, insists he is no criminal. “What will it take for me not to be labeled the bad guy anymore?” he asked.