Sign in

Rachel Spacek

@rachelspacek.bsky.social
166 followers 68 following 15 posts

Investigative Reporter at InvestigateWest. investigatewest.org

PostsRepliesMedia
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
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
investigatewest.org
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
021
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
“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.
investigatewest.org
Understaffed paramedic agencies say Idaho should fund EMS
State lawmakers wary of government spending have turned down bills to fund emergency medical services
011
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
Wilson Criscione @wilsonc.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
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...
investigatewest.org
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
0169
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
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.
177
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
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.
032
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
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.
investigatewest.org
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
162
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
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.
investigatewest.org
Guarded by Predators
A new series by InvestigateWest exposing rape and abuse by Idaho’s prison guards and the system that shields them.
031
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Help us investigate how Trump’s immigration orders are impacting the Pacific Northwest: www.investigatewest.org/help-investi...
investigatewest.org
How are Trump's immigration orders impacting you?
Share your story with InvestigateWest reporter Rachel Spacek
010
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
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.
investigatewest.org
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
111
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
Nicole Foy @nicolefoy.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
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...
investigatewest.org
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
0118
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
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
investigatewest.org
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
020
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
Nicole Foy @nicolefoy.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
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...
investigatewest.org
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
79642
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
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.
investigatewest.org
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
060
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
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.
021
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
Idaho Education News @idahoednews.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
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
idahoednews.org
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…
0103
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
“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)
investigatewest.org
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
011
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
Andrew Engelson @andyengelson.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
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.
001
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
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
investigatewest.org
‘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
08433
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
investigatewest.bsky.social @investigatewest.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
NEW: As the Trump administration seeks tips on migrants, some have turned the ICE hot line into a weapon, reports InvestigateWest’s democracy reporter.
investigatewest.org
‘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
146
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
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...
investigatewest.org
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...
013
Rachel Spacek @rachelspacek.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
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...
investigatewest.org
‘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
041
Reposted by Rachel Spacek
Mia Maldonado @miamaldonado.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
BREAKING news from @ryansuppe.bsky.social www.idahoednews.org/top-news/gov...
idahoednews.org
Gov. Little signs private school tax credit into law
“Idaho can have it all — strong public schools and education freedom,” the Republican governor said.
233