Jayapal Demands Answers on Immigrants Transferred from WA to AK

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on reports of immigrants being transferred from the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma, Washington to the Anchorage Correctional Complex (ACC) in Anchorage, Alaska. 

“These individuals were moved thousands of miles away from their families, communities, and legal representatives to a prison with a deeply problematic history,” wrote the Members. “ICE confirmed that these individuals do not have final orders of removal and that the individuals will be transferred back to NWIPC for their court hearings. […] We are deeply concerned that ICE is wasting taxpayer dollars, flying dozens of people between detention centers thousands of miles apart, in efforts that do nothing to help protect Americans.”

ICE confirmed that at least 40 individuals were moved from NWIPC to ACC earlier this month. ACC has a deeply troubling record of inadequate conditions, on occasion having used pepper spray on detained people. ACC also has a history of improperly restricting access to private conversations with attorneys. Just last month, incarcerated Alaskans filed a lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC), alleging that the care provided by the DOC has resulted in “needless suffering” and even death.

Before the Trump Administration began its mass deportation agenda, one in 16 detained persons had no criminal record. Following this campaign of mass deportation and detention, kidnapping people off the streets, from their workplaces, and from routine immigration check-ins, one in four detained persons has no criminal record. 

The letter was signed by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Emily Randall (WA-06), and Adam Smith (WA-09). 

The full text of the letter can be found HERE. 

Issues: Immigration