Immigration raid shakes up Ellensburg

Sat., Jan. 22, 2011

Associated Press

ELLENSBURG – More than 200 people turned out at a public meeting Friday to discuss immigration raids that resulted in more than two dozen arrests.

Those attending the meeting at First United Methodist Church in Ellensburg included faculty members and students from Central Washington University.

Many in the Latino community in Ellensburg were hiding behind closed doors Friday after the early Thursday raid that resulted in more than two dozen arrests and left relatives scrambling to find care for children left behind.

Thirty people were arrested or detained, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sixteen of those were being held on immigration violations at a detention center.

Another fourteen made initial court appearances Friday on charges of using false documents or falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. One was charged with re-entry into the United States after deportation.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.