WA can inspect Tacoma immigration detention center, judge rules

July 10, 2026 - 15:17

A federal judge has ruled that Washington state health officials can now conduct inspections at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in the region. The decision ends a long-standing standoff between state regulators and the private company that runs the facility, which had previously blocked access to state inspectors.

The detention center, operated by the private firm GEO Group, has been the subject of more than 3,500 complaints over the years. These complaints range from inadequate medical care to unsanitary living conditions. State officials argued that the facility's refusal to allow health inspections violated Washington law, which gives the state authority to inspect any place where people are held for more than 24 hours.

In her ruling, the judge rejected arguments from GEO Group that federal immigration authority overrides state health and safety laws. She emphasized that the state has a clear interest in ensuring humane conditions for people detained within its borders. The ruling allows state inspectors to enter the facility to check for compliance with health codes, including food safety, sanitation, and disease control.

Advocates for detained immigrants praised the decision, calling it a long-overdue step toward accountability. They noted that the facility has faced repeated allegations of neglect and abuse. The state Department of Health has not yet announced a timeline for the first inspection, but officials say they plan to move quickly. The ruling does not address other ongoing legal challenges related to conditions at the center, but it marks a significant shift in oversight.