VANCOUVER—United States Senator Patty Murray on Friday, December 5, denounced the November 14 arrest of Vancouver resident Wilmer Toledo-Martinez as a “violent and unwarranted assault,” releasing graphic photos of deep gashes across the 28-year-old father’s body and demanding his immediate release from federal immigration detention. Toledo-Martinez is married to a U.S. citizen and has three American-born children.
“On November 14, 2025, my constituent Wilmer was mauled by an ICE attack dog even though he has consistently explained that he was not resisting arrest or attempting to flee,” Murray wrote in her official statement. “The photos documenting his injuries are horrific. This should shock the conscience of every one of us.”
Toledo-Martinez, brought to the United States from Mexico at age 15, was detained outside his Vancouver home in front of his U.S.-citizen wife and two of their children, ages 2 and 3. According to his attorney, an ICE agent posed as a construction worker, claiming he had struck Toledo-Martinez’s parked car and asking him to step outside. Moments later, a second agent allegedly released a dog that bit the father repeatedly on the arms and torso.
“His wife and two of his young children…were forced to watch helplessly as he was violently attacked and dragged away,” Murray wrote in her statement. “For hours afterward, he was denied even basic medical care following this unprovoked assault.”
Toledo-Martinez was eventually hospitalized and received stitches and a prescription for antibiotics, but his attorney says the medication was delayed or never provided while he has remained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma.
Murray tied the incident to the broader immigration enforcement push under President Donald J Trump.
“While Donald Trump’s entire mass deportation agenda has been nothing short of depraved, this is especially sickening,” Murray wrote in her statement. “By now, everyone should realize, Trump is not going after violent criminals or the worst of the worst—he is terrorizing everyone, including U.S. citizens and their loved ones.”
Toledo-Martinez has no criminal convictions, according to his attorney and Murray’s office. However, conservative radio host Ari Hoffman of KVI570 questioned the narrative on his X account alleging Toledo-Martinez has a history of drug activity, theft, and illegal firearm possession.
“I am calling for Wilmer’s immediate release from NWIPC—he has no criminal convictions, he poses no threat to the community, and he urgently needs appropriate medical care since ICE is denying him the treatment he requires,” Murray demanded.
The Vancouver Police Department has opened an investigation. ICE and the Lynnwood Times is awaiting a response on the incident from the Seattle ICE Field Office.
As of Saturday evening, Toledo-Martinez remained in custody at the Tacoma facility, with no public schedule for an immigration hearing.
Author: Mario Lotmore
