A federal judge on Thursday granted Washington state permission to send health officials into the region’s largest immigration detention center in Tacoma after state authorities reported more than 3,500 complaints from people detained there.
Court order, scope and timeline
U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle issued preliminary injunctions in favor of both the state and the Washington Department of Health. The orders allow state health inspectors to enter the facility but explicitly exempt administrative and medical areas that are operated directly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Settle wrote that the injunctions will take effect in 14 days, a window intended to permit the operator, GEO Group, time to appeal.
Allegations prompting inspections
The state’s request for court intervention followed thousands of reports from detained people describing problems with basic living conditions and health care. Complaints include allegations of inadequate medical attention, black mold in showers, unsafe drinking water, laundry returned wet and dirtier than before and food items contaminated with foreign material. One report said there were only two functioning toilets for about 100 people.
"Once again, a judge has told GEO Group that Washington state has a right to ensure the health and wellness of people detained within our borders — period," Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a statement.
Operator resistance and federal involvement
GEO Group, a major private corrections contractor that runs the Tacoma facility, has resisted inspections since the state enacted a law in 2023 establishing health and safety standards for private detention centers and authorizing unannounced inspections by the Department of Health. GEO Group has argued that it cannot provide access for state inspectors because ICE controls certain areas of the facility. The company and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
What the ruling means for detainee health oversight
Legal analysts and public health observers are likely to watch whether the decision prompts full, on-site state assessments of conditions and whether it results in remedial actions to address the complaints. The injunctions are preliminary; the case may proceed through appeals and further litigation, and the terms limit state access to areas under ICE operational control.
- 3,500+ complaints reported to state authorities
- 2023 — Washington enacted law setting standards and allowing inspections
- 14 days until the order takes effect to allow for appeal
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Judge | Benjamin Settle |
| Facility operator | GEO Group |
| State action | Preliminary injunctions permitting inspections |
The decision highlights tensions between state responsibilities to protect public health and the roles of private contractors and federal agencies in managing detention facilities. For people advocating on behalf of detainees, the order is a step toward independent verification of reported conditions. For GEO Group, the ruling is another stage in ongoing litigation over the reach of state authority.
Officials at the Washington Attorney General’s office sought the court order in April after receiving the complaints. The ruling does not guarantee immediate full access to every part of the facility, but it provides state health officials a legal path to seek inspections and collect information that could inform enforcement of the 2023 state law.
This report focuses on public health and oversight implications; it does not provide medical advice. News Block will update this story as jurisdictions and companies respond and as the appeals process progresses.
