Judge orders facility operators to allow health inspections at Tacoma ICE center

July 10, 2026 - 18:07

A federal judge has issued two preliminary injunctions that require the operators of a privately run immigration detention center in Tacoma to allow Washington state health inspectors onto the premises. The ruling marks a significant legal victory for state officials who have sought for months to conduct unannounced inspections at the facility, which is operated under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The judge determined that the state has a legitimate interest in ensuring public health and safety standards are met within the detention center. The facility's operators had previously blocked access, arguing that federal jurisdiction over immigration enforcement preempted state oversight. The court disagreed, finding that basic health and safety regulations fall within traditional state police powers.

State inspectors will now be permitted to examine conditions including sanitation, food service, medical care, and fire safety. The injunctions require the facility to provide reasonable access during normal business hours. The decision does not address the broader legal questions about immigration detention but focuses narrowly on the state's authority to enforce health codes in any residential or institutional setting within its borders.

Advocates for detainees have raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate medical treatment at the Tacoma center for years. The state's legal action began after inspectors were turned away during a routine check last year. The facility's operators have not indicated whether they will appeal the ruling.