TACOMA, Wash. — Three members of Congress conducted an unannounced oversight visit Friday at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, citing concerns over labor retaliation, health conditions and transparency.
U.S. Reps. Emily Randall, Pramila Jayapal and Maxine Dexter said the visit follows a recent increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids allegedly targeting labor organizers, as well as longstanding reports of poor medical and sanitary conditions at the privately operated facility.
ICE officials said they needed more than 48 hours notice to speak freely with the general population. After asking the two detainees to sign privacy waivers, the Congresswomen heard their stories.
The lawmakers spent over two hours touring the facility and talking with two detainees.
One of the detainees was an undocumented woman who had recently been arrested after the workplace raid at a beverage accessories company in Kent. She told the lawmakers she was saddened to be inside, and said they are not getting adequate "outdoor time" and "daylight time." ICE said it is policy to allow all detainees at least an hour physically outdoors, and an hour in an enclosed area where they can see the sun.
“One woman has been in this country for 20 years and was detained less than a week before she was to be married to a U.S. citizen," Rep. Jayapal said, of the woman. "Another man has been here 31 years as a legal permanent resident, is a proud member of the Machinists Union, and is married to a U.S. citizen with three U.S. citizen children."
That permanent resident is Maximo Londonio. Londonio was detained at SEA airport May 15 after returning from a trip home to the Philippines. Londonio was held by Customs and Border Patrol for several days before being transferred over to the Northwest ICE Processing Center. He told the U.S. Reps that he is the sole breadwinner for his family.
“Donald Trump is lying to the American people. He is dehumanizing immigrants who came here for a better life—only to face cruelty and injustice—funded by your tax dollars," Congresswoman Dexter said. "Inside the Northwest Detention Center, we were not allowed to speak with or see most individuals detained here, and that should concern every one of us. What are they hiding?”
The lawmakers said they were inspired to make the unannounced visit by other members of Congress conducting similar inspections across the country.