Rachel Spacek
@rachelspacek.bsky.social
Investigative Reporter at InvestigateWest. investigatewest.org
Jesus Agustin Perez Garcia was a defendant who would "typically get probation," according to the judge in his drug case. But he didn't, in part, because of his immigration status. And the Idaho Supreme Court weighed in. Read my latest for @investigatewest.bsky.social
Idaho judges can consider immigration in probation decisions
Some immigration attorneys and scholars worry the ruling will make it harder for undocumented people to get probation
investigatewest.org
“We're like a spare tire. You don't think about us until you absolutely need us:" Idaho paramedic agencies are struggling amid population growth and funding shortfalls. They are calling on the Idaho Legislature for help.
Understaffed paramedic agencies say Idaho should fund EMS
State lawmakers wary of government spending have turned down bills to fund emergency medical services
investigatewest.org
ICE detained Wilfredo Castillo at what he thought was a routine appointment for his asylum case, saying he missed check-ins on an app. He spent 11 months at a detention center, where he was stabbed. Don't miss the latest from @rachelspacek.bsky.social www.investigatewest.org/i-was-trying...
WA asylum seekers detained over questionable violations
Recent court rulings show how ICE is citing missed immigration check-ins — often without evidence — to detain asylum seekers
investigatewest.org
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.
@investigatewest.bsky.social · 6mo agoImmigrants are increasingly turning to federal district courts to challenge their detentions. In 2025, Washington federal judges ruled that the government violated immigrants’ due process rights in more than half of cases so far. www.investigatewest.org/rulings-foun...
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.
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 8mo agoMy 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.
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.
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
investigatewest.org
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.
Guarded by Predators
A new series by InvestigateWest exposing rape and abuse by Idaho’s prison guards and the system that shields them.
investigatewest.org
Help us investigate how Trump’s immigration orders are impacting the Pacific Northwest: www.investigatewest.org/help-investi...
How are Trump's immigration orders impacting you?
Share your story with InvestigateWest reporter Rachel Spacek
investigatewest.org
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.
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
investigatewest.org
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
investigatewest.org
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
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
investigatewest.org
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
investigatewest.org
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.
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
investigatewest.org
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.
@investigatewest.bsky.social · last yr.NEW: Families paint a picture of the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a black hole of information, rarely communicating anything and providing no public accounting of the circumstances of deaths at the hands of its officers.
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
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…
idahoednews.org
“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)
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
investigatewest.org
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.
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · last yr.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
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
‘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
investigatewest.org
NEW: As the Trump administration seeks tips on migrants, some have turned the ICE hot line into a weapon, reports InvestigateWest’s democracy reporter.
‘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
investigatewest.org
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...
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...
investigatewest.org
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...
‘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
investigatewest.org
