The Tacoma office of the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was burglarized over the weekend, and several items used to allow foreigners legal entry into the United States were taken, INS officials confirmed Monday.
The INS’s Tacoma Support Office was the target of burglars sometimes between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening.
Police said there was no sign of forced entry into the office, although force was used to open the locked cabinets inside.
Official government forms, stamps and equipment were stolen, as well as a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun and two ammunition clips.
U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., expressed concern Monday over the thefts.
“These stamps, unfortunately, could be used by terrorist organizations who are trying to get people in and out of the United States,” Dicks said.
INS officials said the stolen items were stored in the office according to INS safely and security standards.
The Seattle INS office and the Tacoma Police Department are investigating.