Federal Judge Blocks Washington State Law Affecting Immigration Detention Center
Setback for Oversight and Living Conditions
A federal judge has halted the enforcement of a Washington state law aimed at improving oversight and living conditions at the state’s sole privately operated immigration detention center. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle issued a preliminary injunction, benefiting Geo Group, the owner of the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Tacoma.
Implications for Facility and Detainees
The facility, with 1,575 beds, is one of the largest in the country. Washington’s law mandated strict hygiene standards, nutritious diets, and unannounced inspections at private detention centers like the one in Tacoma. However, the judge deemed the law discriminatory against Geo Group, providing more leniency to state-run facilities.
Ruling Against Unequal Treatment
Despite Washington’s concerns for public health, Judge Settle deemed the law unconstitutional for unfairly targeting federal contractors like Geo Group. The company, based in Boca Raton, Florida, had challenged the law’s validity, claiming it was being unfairly singled out.
Impact on Sanitation and Care
The decision has relieved Geo Group, which has pledged to continue offering secure residential care services to the federal government. Detainees and rights advocates have long criticized the Tacoma facility for substandard conditions regarding sanitation, food safety, and medical care.
Private Detention Concerns and Future Actions
Private detention facilities house over 90% of ICE detainees, as per estimates by the American Civil Liberties Union. Geo Group operates numerous correctional facilities and immigration detention centers across the country.
Legal Case Details
The lawsuit, Geo Group Inc v. Inslee et al, heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, showcases the ongoing legal battles surrounding immigration detention conditions and oversight.
