Ferndale Residents Plan Immigration Enforcement Discussion

FERNDALE, Wash. — U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activity has been continuing at full steam throughout the country and here in northwest Washington, local detainees are taken to a Ferndale ICE facility before being transferred elsewhere. The location has caused local controversy and drawn broader attention.

Ferndale residents will meet Tuesday, Sept. 22, to discuss immigration enforcement activity in the community and what local residents and officials can do in response.

The Community Discussion will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ferndale Public Library, 2125 Main St. Concerned residents organized the meeting with support from Indivisible Bellingham and Community2Community.

Organizers Raise Health and Economic Concerns

Organizers say they are concerned about the effect of immigration enforcement on families, schools, health care and local businesses.

They say some residents fear leaving home, going to work or school, attending activities or seeking medical care because of immigration enforcement.

Karen Franklin, one of the organizers, said residents want to focus on how the community can support one another.

“Ferndale residents are very concerned about our safety and that of our neighbors. We are seeing the disappearances and the detentions. Families fear going out—missing school, work, activities, and commitments. As a community we want to make sure we’re taking care of each other. We’re looking at what other cities are doing to harden their defenses against illegal enforcement activity, and we’re considering what we can do in Ferndale.”

Karen Franklin, Meeting Organizer

Organizers also point to agriculture, hospitality and construction as industries that rely on immigrant workers. They argue that increased enforcement could affect local employers, workers and consumer spending.

The Washington State Department of Health has separately identified fear, violence and chronic stress as health concerns for immigrant communities. The agency has also cited barriers that can prevent people from accessing health care and other services.

The meeting follows a July visit to Ferndale’s ICE holding facility by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, who said he left with additional questions about how the facility operates.

Larsen Seeks Answers About Ferndale ICE Facility

Larsen visited the facility July 31 as part of his effort to gather information about immigration detention in the area.

“The facility has two holding cells that have room for eight people each,” Larsen said after the visit. “The average time a detained person stays in the facility is 4-5 hours.”

Larsen said ICE policy limits detention at this type of facility to 12 hours. People held in Ferndale are processed there before federal officials transfer them to a privately operated detention facility in Tacoma.

The facility has a toilet and sink but no kitchen or shower. It also has no medical personnel on staff because of the short detention periods, according to information Larsen received during his visit. The facility does have procedures for emergency and non-emergency medical care.

Two private rooms have telephones that allow detained people to contact attorneys.

Larsen said he could not get complete answers during his visit. He followed up Aug. 11 with a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella.

“As part of my oversight responsibilities, I am working to get answers for my constituents about the facility’s operations and policies. While the officers present during my visit were able to answer some of my questions, I am writing to get additional clarification and data.”

Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative

Federal Officials Face More Questions

Larsen’s Aug. 11 letter asks federal officials for detention numbers from the past 30, 90 and 365 days. He also requested the average and longest stays during those periods.

In addition, Larsen asked how many people the facility held during 2023, 2024 and 2025. He requested information about overnight stays and whether children have been detained there.

He also asked federal officials to identify the specific policy that limits detention at the facility to 12 hours.

Larsen has separately contacted Homeland Security Investigations about its operations in the Ferndale area. He said HSI has been responsible for operations that detained nearly 50 people in Lynden in recent months.

That federal activity provides part of the backdrop for Tuesday’s community meeting.

Local Governments Have Taken Action

The Ferndale discussion follows actions by Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham.

In January, the Whatcom County Council approved Resolution 2026-002, which affirmed the dignity and civil and human rights of county residents regardless of immigration or citizenship status. The resolution also reaffirmed county compliance with Washington laws that limit local government participation in federal immigration enforcement.

The Port of Bellingham took a separate step in June when its board approved Resolution 1432. The resolution restricts the use of Port property for civil immigration enforcement purposes and activities.

Franklin said the presence of federal immigration operations in Ferndale gives the city a particular role in the discussion.

“Because ICE and CBP activity is being done from locations inside the City of Ferndale, Ferndale residents and government should play an important role in reducing the harm being done to our local economy, public health and safety, and our community members.”

Organizers say Tuesday’s meeting will focus on what other communities have done and what measures, if any, Ferndale residents could pursue.

The Community Discussion is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Ferndale Public Library, 2125 Main St.

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