Jayapal, Randall Conduct Oversight at the Northwest Detention Center

Video of the Congresswomen discussing the visit can be found here.

TACOMA, W.A. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Committee, and Emily Randall (WA-06) today visited the Northwest ICE Processing Center to conduct an announced oversight visit. During this visit, they spoke with two persons detained at the facility, in addition to touring and inspecting the facility. 

“Today, Representative Randall and I visited the Northwest Detention Center and met with two detained people who have lived in the United States for decades, are contributing to our communities, and raising American families, said Jayapal. “They told us how they feel like they’re being treated as criminals — despite having no criminal record. This is how the Trump administration and Stephen Miller’s mass deportation agenda works: they are locking up thousands of immigrants every single night, regardless of criminal record, immigration status, or how long they’ve been in this country. It is cruel and completely disregards the human and civil rights afforded to people in America. I will continue conducting oversight, meeting with detained immigrants, and fighting for a more just system that respects all people.”

“Over the last two years in Congress, I’ve visited this facility 12 times and have spoken with folks who are being detained. Every story is different, but so many of these stories have so much in common. They speak about the fear they’re living with, worrying about retaliation on their families, worrying about what is going to happen to their loved ones who are struggling financially, who are losing their homes, who are worried about how they’re going to pay their bills and feed their children, because so often it’s the primary breadwinner who has been detained,”said Randall. “I hear from my neighbors everyday that it matters that we keep showing up to listen to these stories and put pressure on this administration like we’re going to do when Democrats take back the gavels. There’s so much work to do, and we’re not going to stop holding this administration accountable.” 

Issues: Immigration