More than 100 detained migrants were flown into Seattle on Sunday before being transported to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, according to an advocacy group. The number of arrivals was described as “unprecedented,” raising concerns about increasing detentions under the Trump administration.
Unusual Flight Brings Largest Group Yet
La Resistencia, an immigrant rights group monitoring detention flights since 2023, reported that 110 migrants arrived on a flight from Phoenix, Arizona. This is more than double the largest previous single flight observed by the group, which had 53 detainees.
The flight’s arrival on a Sunday was also out of the ordinary. According to La Resistencia’s founder, Maru Mora Villalpando, these flights typically land on Tuesdays. The detainees were seen exiting the plane at Boeing Field in handcuffs and civilian clothing. Their nationalities remain unknown.
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not provide details about the flight.
Detention Center Population Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Tacoma detention facility, run by the Florida-based GEO Group, is the only one of its kind in Washington state. It can hold over 1,500 detainees, making it one of the largest privately-run immigration detention centers in the U.S.
With the latest arrivals, the center’s population has surpassed 1,000 detainees for the first time since the pandemic began.
“This is just a sign of things that are coming,” said Mora Villalpando, pointing to President Trump’s renewed focus on mass deportations.
Increasing Arrests and Controversies
ICE has significantly ramped up detentions. Over the past week, the agency has been arresting more than 800 people daily—far above the pre-Trump administration average of about 300 per day.
The Tacoma detention center has faced persistent scrutiny over human rights concerns. Investigations by the University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights have documented severe issues, including:
- Frequent use of solitary confinement
- Unclean conditions
- Alleged mistreatment of detainees by staff
The facility has been the site of multiple hunger strikes, including one currently exceeding 40 days.
Legal Battles Over Detention Practices
GEO Group has been under legal pressure in recent years. The company previously paid detainees only $1 per day for work performed inside the facility, such as cleaning, laundry, and food preparation. Last month, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the practice violated Washington state’s minimum wage law.
Additionally, a 2024 report found that detainees in Tacoma spend more time in detention on average compared to other facilities nationwide.
With the influx of detainees and the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, advocates warn that conditions inside the facility could worsen. “Now imagine when they reach maximum capacity,” said Mora Villalpando.
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