U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are reportedly conducting "soft raids" to detain workers at a seafood processing facility owned by Lynden, Washington, U.S.A.-based Premier Packing.
According to local Washington news stations and immigration advocacy groups, employees have been detained on numerous occasions by ICE outside the perimeter of the processing plant.
King 5 reported that a video recorded on 20 April showed an ICE agent patting a man down at the facility and that arrests took place near the business in May and July on nearby roads, in parking areas, or even near employee homes. Premier Packing confirmed with King 5 that more than 50 employees have been detained or deported in connection with the county-based enforcement effort.
The Cascadia Daily said that the 22 July detainment was just one of many that took place over the last four months at Premier Packing, and in response, the company installed a fence around the perimeter on 23 July.
Local Washington immigration advocacy organization Racial Unity Now (RUN) reported on the "soft raid" and called on local leaders and community members to organize in opposition to the raids.
"Local leaders and community members must recognize the devastating impact these escalating tactics have on Whatcom County’s civic health – harming families, safety, and economic wellbeing," RUN said in a release. "Employers should clearly mark private property and educate vulnerable workers about their rights. Additionally, we call for elected representatives to take further action to protect vulnerable immigrants in the community."
Among several other raids, RUN Executive Director Jeremy Dorrough told the Salish Current that he witnessed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vehicles depart the property on 7 May with the paystubs and personal belongings of individuals who work at Premier Packing. Dorrough said he talked to the friends of a detainee later that month who had to return to Premier Packing to collect the abandoned belongings of that detained employee.
ICE has conducted operations at other seafood processors as U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for more deportations. New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based seafood processor Oceans Fleet reported employees had been detained by ICE on 3 June 2025, and San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.-based Groomer's Seafood reported detainments of employees took place 18 July 2025.
Premier Packing was founded in 2009 and operates its primary facility under cold storage provider Americold. The main species the company processes are wild and farmed salmon, cod, halibut, sablefish, and sea bass.
