Confusion and fear are rippling through the White Center community after a possible immigration enforcement arrest outside a pawn shop on 16th Ave SW on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

According to KING 5 News, video footage posted to social media shows several masked individuals wearing vests – some labeled “police” – detaining a woman outside Cash America Pawn at 10421 16th Ave SW in White Center.

The individuals did not wear visible markings identifying them as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents.

The woman was seen crying and yelling in Spanish as she was placed into the back seat of an unmarked white SUV. Witnesses said the situation escalated quickly, with no clear indication of who the arresting individuals were.

“They whipped in, all I heard was the tires screeching,” Naomi Bailey, manager of a nearby coffee stall told KING5. “It’s terrible because we can’t do anything without them trying to do something. I mean, I almost got arrested just yelling at them.”

Bailey said she and a customer ran toward the scene before being ordered to back away.

Octavio Rivera, a White Center resident, said a friend of his captured the video. He believes the woman taken was a food vendor known to the community. Rivera said the video triggered a serious family conversation.

ICE has not confirmed whether the individuals in the video are authorized federal officers. Federal law requires immigration agents to identify themselves during an arrest, though it does not prohibit them from covering their faces.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the use of face masks during a June 25 Senate committee hearing, stating, “I can assure you that if they’re covering their faces, it’s to protect themselves.”

In a statement to KING 5, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown’s office said it had no specific information about the White Center incident, but added:

“We hear regularly from Washingtonians who are concerned about ICE’s increasingly alarming conduct and lack of accountability.”

The Attorney General’s Office encourages residents to contact its Civil Rights Division at civilrights@atg.wa.gov if they have concerns about federal activity in their neighborhoods. The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network also maintains a hotline at 1-844-724-3737 for reporting confirmed immigration enforcement activity.

ImmigrantJustice.org also offers tips about ICE encounters here: “Know your rights: If you encounter ICE.”

As of Monday, ICE has not responded to media requests – including from South King Media/The White Center Blog – for comment.

Video

Video courtesy KING5 News: