Full Breakdown
Washington State Seeks Court Order to Allow Health Inspections at Tacoma ICE Detention Center
4/30/2026, 3:26:58 AM
Washington’s 2023 Law and Judicial Review
Washington’s 2023 law gives the state authority to enforce health and safety standards at private detention facilities. GEO Group challenged the law, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it, confirming the state’s right to demand inspections.
Primary Actors
Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, GEO Group, Washington Department of Health, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and detainees at the Northwest ICE Processing Center.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2023 – Washington law enacted.
- 2024 – Two detainee deaths reported.
- 2024-2026 – Ten denied health-inspection attempts; latest on April 20, 2026.
- April 28, 2026 – State sues; 9th Circuit upholds law; GEO has until June 11 to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Complaints, Deaths, and Facility Statistics
The center holds up to ~1,600 detainees. State logged ~3,500 complaints, about 1,000 about water, food, air. Allegations include burned plastic in meals, foul water, only two bathrooms for ~100 occupants, and unwashed sheets after illness. Two deaths and six suicide attempts have been reported since 2024.
State Rationale and Official Responses
Ferguson says the law permits inspections and condemns GEO’s obstruction. Brown calls the issue a legal and moral duty, noting that inaction harms detainees. GEO declined comment, referring queries to ICE, which has not responded.
Detainee Testimonies and On-the-Ground Concerns
One detainee said the water “tastes disgusting,” noting staff bring personal bottles. Another reported only two bathrooms for about 100 people and a lack of clean, dry clothing. Detainees also claim sheets are not washed after occupants with contagious illnesses.
Criticism of GEO Group’s Practices
State officials argue GEO’s denial of inspections violates the law and endangers health. Complaints and documented deaths highlight concerns about neglect and unsanitary conditions in the privately run facility.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
GEO has not responded; ICE has not commented, leaving no explanation for the denied entries.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Despite the mandate of the court and the seriousness of the problem, The Geo Group continues to defy our law by refusing to admit DOH inspectors,” — Nick Brown, Washington Attorney General
- “People are being harmed in this facility. And inaction is no longer acceptable.” — Nick Brown, Washington Attorney General
- “The law is clear: We have the legal authority to inspect private detention centers in our state,” — Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington
- “The water tastes disgusting, it does not taste like normal water you usually drink, which makes sense because all the staff here bring in their own water bottles because they know the water here is not safe to drink.” — Detainee, Tacoma ICE Processing Center
Upcoming Legal Steps
The state will seek a court order compelling GEO to admit health inspectors before the June 11 deadline. If GEO appeals, the case may reach the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially setting a precedent for state oversight of federally contracted private detention facilities.
