IACHR completes visit to Tacoma, United States, to monitor compliance with precautionary measures

October 29, 2024

Washington, D.C. – From October 21 to 22, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) conducted a working visit in the United States to monitor the implementation of the precautionary measures in favor of persons detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma, state of Washington.

Issued through Resolution 41/2020, the precautionary measures requested the United States to protect the beneficiaries’ rights to health, life and personal integrity, observing that they were at serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2024, the Commission received information on the death of the beneficiary Charles Leo Daniel at the NWIPC and a series of suicide attempts that followed. The IACHR was also informed of at least eight hunger strikes carried out in 2024 as protest due to the detention conditions, as well as registered complaints of excessive use of force and retaliation.

The delegation, led by President Roberta Clarke, met with Global Rights Advocacy, International Human Rights Clinic of the Seattle University School of Law and La Resistencia, who represent the beneficiaries before the IACHR. The Commission also held meetings with civil society organizations, local authorities from Washington State, Office of the Washington Attorney General, Federal and state Senators’ staff, and families and former detainees of the NWIPC. It visited the center, touring the facilities, and talked to the authorities responsible for the detention center. The Commission was also able to interview some beneficiaries.

During its visit, the delegation observed the noteworthy structure of the NWIPC. It received complaintsabout challenges related to the for-profit nature of the management of the NWIPC, including lower food quality, improper cleaning, and high commissary prices. Additionally, testimonies indicated the need for the State to improve its response to mental health issues, as well as chronic or complex health problems faced by the beneficiaries.

The Commission took further note on allegations of excessive use of segregation and handcuffs, verbal aggression and racism from the center staff towards the beneficiaries, retaliation on hunger strikes, among others. It is of particular concern that there are allegations that the NWIPC is not forthcoming with information that would enhance transparency and meaningful oversight, including for thorough investigation of complaints lodged.

From the information presented at the visit, it is often unclear to beneficiaries, their families and representatives who has competency over matters at the NWIPC, describing instances in which the private company and ICE appear to be mutually deferring accountability.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation of the beneficiaries at the NWIPC through its precautionary measures and calls on the State to continue implementing measures to protect the beneficiaries’ rights to health, life and personal integrity.

The IACHR appreciates the US government invitation and openness to carry out the working visit and values this chance for dialogue. The IACHR further thanks the United States for enabling efforts to monitor these precautionary measures in its support in terms of logistics and of ensuring a successful visit.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 266/24

11:45 AM