State Seeks Court Order Over ICE Detention Center Inspections

TACOMA, Wash. — Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown filed a court motion Tuesday seeking to force The GEO Group to allow state health inspectors into the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma.

State officials say inspectors have been denied entry 10 times, including after a federal appeals court affirmed Washington’s authority to inspect private detention facilities.

“The law is clear: We have the legal authority to inspect private detention centers in our state,” Governor Ferguson said. “GEO Group has continued to obstruct our efforts to conduct these critical health inspections. That is unacceptable.

Brown said GEO Group must comply with state law.

“GEO Group is not above the law: they must allow health inspectors to inspect the Tacoma facility,” Attorney General Brown said. “Washington law helps bring accountability and transparency to otherwise opaque private detention facilities. The fact that GEO Group resists basic health and safety inspections and refuses to follow the law should trouble all Washingtonians.”

The state asks the court for a preliminary injunction requiring access for Department of Health inspectors.

Complaints Allege Overcrowding, Sanitation Problems, Medical Delays

Officials say more than 3,500 complaints from detainees describe deteriorating conditions inside the facility.

According to the complaint, detainees said, “[y]esterday for dinner, they served us raw meat. You can see the blood inside the meat. Many of us in the unit [54 people] chose to throw it away, but others made the decision to still eat it because they were hungry. Today, around 15 people woke up sick due to the food from last night.”

The complaints allege contaminated food, limited sanitation, and delayed medical care. Some reports describe food containing foreign materials and meals served undercooked or spoiled.

Other complaints cite unsafe drinking water, limited access to functioning bathrooms, and hygiene shortages. One detainee reported receiving used clothing.

State officials also cited allegations of inadequate medical treatment and reports of abuse. The claims have not been independently verified because inspectors have been blocked from entering, officials said.

Lawmakers Raise Separate Concerns Over Conditions, Access to Care

Separately, Washington’s congressional delegation has raised concerns about conditions at the facility in a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Led by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, lawmakers said conditions at the facility have “deteriorated” amid rising detainee populations. The letter was also signed by Sen. Maria Cantwell and Reps. Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Emily Randall, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland.

The letter cited concerns about overcrowding, medical care, food service, and access to legal counsel, and noted the facility has at times exceeded its rated capacity of 1,575 detainees.

“We urge you to promptly review these concerns and take immediate steps to improve conditions and practices at NWIPC,” the lawmakers wrote.

Medical and Legal Access Concerns Highlighted

The congressional letter raised concerns about limited medical staffing and behavioral health care, citing reports of suicide attempts and insufficient mental health staffing for the detainee population.

It also cited delays in attorney access, including wait times of up to six hours for legal visits, and limited space for attorney-client meetings due to competing uses of visitation rooms.

Lawmakers also flagged concerns about food service, including reports of missed meals and delays during court-related video hearings.

Inspection Authority Dispute Continues

Washington law requires private detention facilities to comply with state health standards and allows unannounced inspections. State officials say GEO Group has continued to block inspections despite a 2026 appellate ruling lifting earlier injunctions.

The state’s motion is now pending before a federal court.