Federal immigration chase ends at Pierce County high school
A federal immigration chase ended in the parking lot of a Pierce County High School on Friday.
According to a Facebook post from the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety, the chase happened at about 6:30 a.m.
“Apparent uniformed federal immigration enforcement officials operating unmarked vehicles with red and blue emergency lights activated, pursued a vehicle through the Western State Hospital parking lot, onto Sentinel Drive, and the chase ultimately concluded in the parking lot of Steilacoom High School,” the post said.
The driver, a middle-aged man, then tried to run away, the post said, but immigration authorities caught him.
“There are no indications that the involved driver was a staff member, student, parent, or was otherwise associated with the Steilacoom Historical School District,” the release said. “The vehicle involved was not registered to any address in Pierce County.”
In the post, Steilacoom police said they were not involved in the investigation and learned the details after everyone had left the area.
“In consideration of this event coinciding with the final day of school, public safety officers will increase presence at our school facilities,” the post said.
The News Tribune reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to learn more about the arrest but did not receive an immediate response.
This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 11:16 AM.
