Jan. 16, 2026 — Redmond, Wash. A resident-recorded video showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting a man while masking his face has prompted local officials to advocate for new rules requiring law enforcement identification during operations.
The incident occurred on Jan. 11 near Redmond Center, amid reports of ICE activity at intersections and businesses, including Redmond Way and Bear Creek Parkway, a McDonald’s on Redmond Way, and a Target on NE 76th Street.
The footage, first highlighted in social media posts, depicts agents in tactical gear handcuffing the unnamed man in an alley visible from a pedestrian trail, loading him into a vehicle, and departing. One agent pulled a neck gaiter over the man’s face upon noticing the camera, according to a KING5 report.
Woodinville City Councilmember Michelle Evans viewed the video and launched a petition for the “No Secret Police Act,” calling for visible insignia, name or badge numbers, and restrictions on unmarked vehicles for all law enforcement, including federal agents.
“I would also like to see they have to have insignia and have an identifier, like a name or a badge, or something. And that we can’t have unmarked vehicles basically kidnapping people off the streets.”
— Michelle Evans
Evans stated the video “really made me start taking a look and say, OK, what can we do?”
Separately, Democratic state Sen. Javier Valdez is sponsoring Senate Bill 5855, which would restrict face coverings by officers during public interactions to enhance safety for immigrant communities.
“I believe it will make our marginalized immigrant communities feel safer. Especially as we know about all the things happening throughout our country, our state and our neighborhoods, and incidents occurring every day.”
— Sen. Javier Valdez
U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano opposed state-level regulations on federal agents, stating:
“States have no authority to govern how the U.S. acts within its jurisdiction. That control is retained by the U.S., and that’s been a long-standing principle since the 1800s.”
No official statements from ICE or Redmond police have confirmed details of the arrest or the man’s identity and status. Social media reports, including a 61-second X video captioned “Operativo de ICE en Redmond, Washington,” and a Threads post warning residents, circulated starting Jan. 11. Reddit discussions in r/redmond referenced the video as an “ICE abduction” at Redmond Way and Bear Creek Parkway on Jan. 11 at 08:59 a.m.
The event aligns with broader ICE operations in Washington state, though mainstream outlets like the Redmond Reporter had not covered it as of Jan. 12.
