Advocates decry unsafe conditions at Tacoma ICE facility after detainee’s medical crisis

Human rights and health care advocates are urging federal immigration officials to address what they describe as unsafe and unhealthy conditions inside the Northwest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Tacoma.

Those calls intensified this week as advocates rallied on behalf of 37-year-old detainee Greggy Sorio, a green card holder who was nearly deported to the Philippines, The Seattle Times reported. Sorio, who has multiple criminal convictions, has been held at the facility since February after completing a prison sentence in Alaska.

Detainee reportedly faced months of inadequate medical care at Tacoma ICE facility

According to reporting from The Seattle Times, Sorio’s attorneys and medical advocates said he faced months of delayed or inadequate medical care while in custody. They said Sorio became severely anemic and experienced blood in his stool before ICE took him to a hospital in October. He was also treated for a serious bone infection that required the amputation of one of his toes.

Advocates told the media outlet that Sorio was escorted onto a plane for deportation Tuesday but was pulled off after they alerted the airline to his medical condition.

Sorio has been convicted of several crimes, including assault, in 2010, 2016, and 2017. He was also convicted last year of recklessly causing injury to another person, which can result in a person losing their green card status. However, it’s unclear what happened in this case. An immigration judge ordered Sorio deported in October, and his request for a stay of removal was denied on Saturday.

Advocates said Sorio’s case highlights broader concerns about detainee access to basic necessities such as soap and the length of time it takes to receive medical treatment in the Tacoma facility.

ICE has not responded to requests for comment.

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