Advocates report suspected tuberculosis cases, inhumane conditions at Tacoma ICE facility

An immigrant advocacy group raised concerns about possible tuberculosis (TB) cases at the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Tacoma, according to KIRO 7.

La Resistencia, a local advocacy organization, claimed there may be as many as seven individuals showing signs of TB among those detained at the facility. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the situation, though the cases remain unconfirmed at this time.

“We can confirm that the Tacoma Detention Center has 7 suspected TB cases that have started treatment based primarily on imaging and symptoms,” the DOH stated. “To date, there are no confirmed positive MTb specimens/cases reported to us.”

Advocates allege tuberculosis cases, inhumane conditions at Tacoma ICE facility

La Resistencia has since accused the facility of inhumane conditions. The group is calling for increased transparency and improved healthcare protocols inside the detention center.

In a recent statement to KIRO 7, ICE denied all allegations:

“These accusations are incorrect. Any accusations that detainees are treated inhumanely in any way are categorically false.

ICE is committed to ensuring all those in the agency’s custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments under appropriate conditions of confinement. In general, ICE continues to review immigration detention facilities nationally, monitoring the quality of life and treatment of detained individuals, while evaluating other factors relevant to the continued operation of each facility.

While some ICE facilities are experiencing temporary crowding due to recent increases in detention populations, ICE is actively implementing measures to manage capacity while maintaining compliance with federal standards and our commitment to humane treatment.

Detainees are treated respectfully, and while in detention are afforded access to such things as recreation, medical care, and nutritionist approved meals.”

ICE made a significant increase in arrests across Washington state in June, detaining at least 275 people that month.

This figure represents more than twice the monthly average seen in previous years. Between January and May, monthly arrests generally ranged from 84 to 137, according to internal ICE documents reviewed by the Deportation Data Project at UC Berkeley and reported by KING 5.