Immigration arrests in King County increased more than 300% during 2025, with over 1,000 people arrested by ICE representing 44% of all arrests statewide. Federal records obtained by University of Washington researchers show a shift in enforcement tactics, with ICE agents using license plate data from the Department of Licensing to identify and arrest immigrants with longer residence and U.S.-born children. ICE operations occurred at business parking lots and public areas. Data from I-213 forms shows at least 25 of these arrests took place in Federal Way, and researchers found the majority of arrests countywide involved people with no criminal charges.