Randall, Dexter Send Letter Calling Out Inhumane Conditions Inside Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center

WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Emily Randall (D, WA-06) and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D, OR-03) sent a letter to ICE Acting Director, David Venturella, DHS Inspector General, Dr. Joseph Cuffari, and CEO of the GEO Group, George Zoley, calling out the inhumane conditions inside the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center. In their letter, Randall and Dexter call out ICE, GEO, and DHS for failing to meet their obligation to provide access to timely medical services, adequate food, visitation, and other basic services.

"We remain deeply concerned about reports of inadequate and delayed access to medical care. Since our first visits in early 2025, numerous constituents have reported having medical issues dismissed and access to care delayed or denied, and this was echoed again during our visit," wrote Randall and Dexter. "Additionally, we were alarmed to hear about alleged sexual assault occurring within the facility. We were also unable to exercise our congressional oversight authority to inspect the medical area of the facility because no Public Health Service staff were available. In addition, we were informed that access continues to be denied to state health inspectors of Washington's Department of Health."

In their letter, Randall and Dexter demand answers from ICE, DHS, and the GEO Group on clarifying standards for meal times, medical care, and visiting procedures. The full text of the letter is available HERE.

In response to reports of 140+ individuals participating in a hunger strike at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center, Reps. Randall and Dexter made an unannounced oversight visit on August 15th. While inside, Randall and Dexter met with a hunger striker and heard firsthand about the delayed meal times, inedible food, and lack of timely medical care being provided to detainees. Photos and a video recording of the members' Q&A following their visit is available HERE.

Following the members' visit, the hunger strike ended on August 20th and ICE and GEO agreed to make some changes to improve conditions inside the facility.

During the unannounced visit, Rep. Dexter, who practiced as a critical care and lung physician for more than 20 years, raised serious concerns about reports that people detained at the facility have gone on a hunger strike over food and poor living conditions. Dexter explained that inadequate nutrition and prolonged hunger can cause serious health risks, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions.

Rep. Randall recently returned to the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center to follow up on several cases her office is assisting with, including Julián Palacios Obregon, a human and civil rights activist from Colombia who's been held in detention since presenting himself for asylum at the Sumas, WA port of entry in December 2024. Obregon has been trying to receive medical attention for roughly a year for a severe gastrointestinal infection he developed while in detention at the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center. His asylum hearing was scheduled the same day as an urgently needed medical procedure. This was Randall's 11th oversight visit to the Tacoma NW ICE Detention Center since being elected to Congress.