Brayan M.B.: Asylum seeker detained by ICE outside Vancouver courthouse during trial break
Brayan Morales Bermudez, 26, who fled death threats in Guatemala and sought asylum in 2024, was detained outside a Vancouver courthouse during a break in his trial. His girlfriend says the arrest may have violated state law protecting courthouses.
Jan 17, 2026Vancouver, WACountry of origin: Guatemala
ICE agents detained Brayan Morales Bermudez, 26, outside the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver on Monday during a lunch break in his criminal trial. Morales Bermudez came to the U.S. seeking asylum in 2024 after receiving death threats in Guatemala and was being held at a Tacoma detention facility. His girlfriend stated the detention may have violated Washington state law, which typically prohibits civil arrests by ICE within a mile of courthouses without a judicial warrant.
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- ICE detains man outside Vancouver courthouse during trial break
KPTV·Jan 17, 2026·archived copy
KPTV·Jan 17, 2026·archived copy
- ICE arrests Vancouver man near Clark County Courthouse during break in trial
The Columbian·Jan 14, 2026·archived copy
- ICE arrest outside Clark County courthouse interrupts jury trial
OPB·Jan 16, 2026·archived copy
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