Rachel Spacek

For my latest story I reviewed over 100 cases where immigrants challenged their ICE detention in federal court in Washington. In most of those cases, judges determined ICE was holding people illegally.

I've been thinking the last few days about this story. The part sticking out in my head, is where Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock of @nilc.org: The fact that ICE can just say, 'Wait a second, just keep holding that person because they aren’t a citizen', means they could eventually say that about anyone.

Idaho immigrants detained far from home, and from their attorneys Many immigrants arrested at an Idaho racetrack are being detained in Nevada and other states, making it harder for attorneys and family to find them

My latest story digs into the immigration process and lack of due process offered to many of the people who were detained in the Wilder, Idaho ICE raid. People were sent to detention facilities in other states - making it harder for their families and lawyers to help them fight their detention.

Guarded by Predators A new series by InvestigateWest exposing rape and abuse by Idaho’s prison guards and the system that shields them.

Highly recommend this series by my colleagues Whitney Bryen & @wilsonc.bsky.social They spent a year interviewing women who were sexually abused by prison guards & staff in Idaho, digging through court recordings, and public records and it SHOWS in this work.

How are Trump's immigration orders impacting you? Share your story with InvestigateWest reporter Rachel Spacek

Help us investigate how Trump’s immigration orders are impacting the Pacific Northwest:

www.investigatewest.org/help-investi...

Local officials aren’t concerned about accusations of racism against an Idaho sheriff, despite calls for accountability An extremism watchdog group said the sheriff’s rhetoric about immigrants is “disturbing” and could fuel violence

Update for @investigatewest.bsky.social: County commissioners are standing by Owyhee County Sheriff Larry Kendrick, who was accused by former employees of racist and discriminatory conduct.

Homeland Security’s ‘welfare’ check on Idaho migrant students raises school privacy questions In other parts of the country, the welfare checks have resulted in children being taken out of their homes and put back into government custody

How have immigration officers tracked down unaccompanied minors for those "welfare checks" widely reported across the U.S.? Sometimes, by getting their addresses from school resource officers

@rachelspacek.bsky.social breaks down how this happened in Idaho www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

Homeland Security’s ‘welfare’ check on Idaho migrant students raises school privacy questions In other parts of the country, the welfare checks have resulted in children being taken out of their homes and put back into government custody

Department of Homeland Security agents asked school districts in Idaho for information on unaccompanied migrant students, a process that in other states has resulted in immigration enforcement of parents/guardians and children taken back into gov. custody. My latest for @investigatewest.bsky.social

Accused of racism and retaliation, this Idaho sheriff is now working with ICE Former employees say Sheriff Larry Kendrick made racist jokes at work and was demeaning to women

What should you know about the first Idaho county to sign up for the 287(g) program? Former employees have accused the sheriff of racism, retaliation and more.

Read this investigation from @rachelspacek.bsky.social & @investigatewest.bsky.social www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

Accused of racism and retaliation, this Idaho sheriff is now working with ICE Former employees say Sheriff Larry Kendrick made racist jokes at work and was demeaning to women

I talked to former employees of the Owyhee County Sheriff's Office for months for this story. They accused Sheriff Larry Kendrick of racism and retaliation and now worry that the county's agreement 287g agreement with ICE could embolden Kendrick to harass and target Latinos.

A must read story: A family in Idaho/Nevada who is searching for answers about the death of their family members at the hands of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Idaho, a year later.

Five Idaho international students’ legal status restored after Trump administration shift Five Idaho international students, who had previously lost their student visas or supporting documents, had their legal status restored over the weekend, according to college and university officia…

Five Idaho international students, who had previously lost their student visas or supporting documents, had their legal status restored over the weekend, according to college and university officials.
www.idahoednews.org/news/five-id... #idedu

Idaho’s Owyhee County joins ICE agreement to enforce immigration law ICE's 287(g) agreements — ended under the Obama administration following abuses like racial profiling of Latinos — are back

“If this is happening, I would be hesitant to report a crime myself:" Idaho’s Owyhee County joins ICE agreement to enforce immigration law (for @investigatewest.bsky.social)

Great reporting on how local law enforcement in northern Idaho are collaborating with ICE to detain and deport people whose only "crime" is being undocumented.

‘We have lots of work for you guys’ — emails show coordination between deputies in Idaho’s Kootenai County and immigration officials Cooperation with federal authorities tests bounds of law and policy, stirs fear in immigrant communities

Investigation: Emails between Kootenai County deputies and federal immigration agents show a coordinated effort to target undocumented people for immigration enforcement when they hadn't committed recent state crimes. My latest for @investigatewest.bsky.social

‘You can report her, too!’ Right-wing Idaho activist targets Republican legislator with calls for ICE raids As Trump administration seeks tips on migrants, some have turned tip line into a weapon

NEW: As the Trump administration seeks tips on migrants, some have turned the ICE hot line into a weapon, reports InvestigateWest’s democracy reporter.

Work with Us Job Openings HIRING: Investigative editor InvestigateWest is seeking a full-time investigative editor to oversee a team of staff reporters and freelancers working across the Pacific...

We are looking for an investigative editor @investigatewest.bsky.social DM me if you have questions, I am happy to talk about what I'm hoping for in an editor! www.investigatewest.org/pnw/Careersa...

‘Fear and uncertainty:’ Advocates, immigrants on edge following flurry of contradictory orders Attorneys for unaccompanied minors ordered to stop work without explanation, followed by sudden reversal

Last week was a "roller coaster" for unaccompanied migrant children and the organizations that represent them in immigration court. I spoke with immigration advocates and lawyers in Washington about the impact of these Trump administration orders on children

www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

Gov. Little signs private school tax credit into law “Idaho can have it all — strong public schools and education freedom,” the Republican governor said.

BREAKING news from @ryansuppe.bsky.social www.idahoednews.org/top-news/gov...