UPDATE: August 28 at 5:45 p.m.

Colville Tribes issued a press release in response to social media content wrongly associating their enforcement officers with the investigation into the legal status of crew members.

UMATILLA, Wash. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) announced one of its tribal members was questioned about work visas and not arrested by agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

CTUIR stated in a release that the tribal member and firefighter battling the Bear Gulch Fire near Shelton was not detained, clarifying various media reports.

The CTUIR advises tribal members to carry their tribal membership cards. Those in need of a card can obtain one from the CTUIR Enrollment Department.

For assistance, contact the department at

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