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Seattle sees surge in masked ICE arrests aided by state driver data

Aug 15, 2026 · Seattle, WA

Seattle sees surge in masked ICE arrests aided by state driver data

Seattle residents, advocates, and researchers have documented a surge of daytime immigration arrests across the city this summer, with footage showing masked agents in unmarked vehicles detaining at least 10 people since July 11 in neighborhoods including Maple Leaf, Sodo, West Seattle, Queen Anne, Wallingford, and Wedgwood. The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network reported Seattle detentions more than doubled this year, with the majority involving people with no criminal record. University of Washington researchers found federal agents often located targets by querying Washington drivers' data through the Nlets law enforcement data-sharing platform, confirming 90 such arrests statewide between July 3 and August 7 compared to 50 in the previous eleven months. State officials attempted to block ICE access to driver data through Nlets, but researchers say the agencies have likely sidestepped the restriction using another federal agency's identification code.

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