Over 1,300 Migrants Transferred from Tacoma to ICE Flights Amid Protests

Key Takeaways

• Over 1,300 migrants transferred from Tacoma ICE center onto deportation flights in 2025 under Trump policies.
• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds $45 billion for detention expansion, allowing indefinite detention of families.
• ICE stopped bond hearings for many detainees; protests continue outside Tacoma facility demanding immigrant rights.

Thirteen migrants were transferred out of the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma on July 12, 2025, as part of a larger surge in ICE flights under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement push. Immigration groups and families protested outside the facility, voicing concerns about the growing number of deportations and the impact on local communities.

Sharp Rise in ICE Flights and Transfers from Tacoma

So far in 2025, more than 1,300 people have been moved from the Tacoma detention center onto ICE flights, according to flight observers and advocacy groups. This marks a sharp increase compared to previous years and reflects the Trump administration’s focus on expanding detention and speeding up deportations. On July 12, ICE and GEO Group staff boarded 75 people onto a deportation flight from Tacoma, with many more expected in the coming weeks.

Observers from immigration groups have documented these transfers, noting that they often happen with little warning to families or attorneys. Many of those transferred are long-term residents or people with strong community ties. The rapid pace of removals has left families scrambling for information and legal help.

Protests and Vigils Outside Tacoma Facility

Outside the Tacoma detention center, immigration groups and family members have kept up a near-constant presence. They hold vigils, rallies, and protests to call attention to the mass deportations and the conditions inside the facility. These actions have grown in size and urgency since President Trump returned to office in January 2025 and began rolling out new immigration policies.

Advocates say the protests are meant to show support for detainees and to demand changes in how people are treated. “We’re here because families are being torn apart, and people are being sent away without a fair chance to fight their cases,” said a spokesperson for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

Policy Changes Driving the Surge in Deportations

The recent increase in ICE flights and transfers from Tacoma is tied to a series of policy changes made by the Trump administration since January 2025. The most significant of these is the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025. This law provides $45 billion for expanding detention centers, including facilities for families and children, and allows for the indefinite detention of children and families.

Another major shift is the use of a 1996 law that lets ICE detain anyone who entered the United States 🇺🇸 illegally until their case is finished or they are deported. As of July 8, 2025, ICE has started holding many more people without bond hearings. This means that even people with no criminal history or those who have lived in the country for years can be held in detention without a chance to be released while their case is pending, unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) makes an exception.

Targeting Humanitarian Protections and Family Detention

The administration has also moved to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 70,000 Hondurans and Nicaraguans, effective September 2025. TPS is a program that lets people from certain countries stay in the United States 🇺🇸 if their home country is unsafe due to war or disaster. Ending TPS puts many long-term residents at risk of detention and deportation.

Other relief programs, such as DACA (for people brought to the United States 🇺🇸 as children) and visas for crime victims, are also under review. Immigration groups warn that these changes could lead to the removal of people who have lived in the country for decades and have deep roots in their communities.

There have been recent cases where U.S.-born children and their non-citizen parents were detained and prepared for deportation. In some situations, children were released only after legal action and public pressure. The OBBBA law specifically funds and allows for family detention, even though medical and legal experts have raised concerns about the harm this causes to children.

Official Statements and Stakeholder Responses

Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, confirmed that the agency is using its expanded detention powers and has stopped bond hearings for many detainees. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem defended these steps, saying they are needed for national security and public safety. She argued that previous policies allowed too much discretion and led to more releases.

Legal and advocacy groups, including the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, have strongly criticized the new policies. They warn that the changes could lead to mass incarceration of immigrants and serious violations of due process rights. “We are seeing people locked up for months or even years without a fair hearing,” said a spokesperson for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Elected officials have also spoken out. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden criticized the detention of U.S. citizen children and the lack of legal protections for families. He called for emergency legal help for those affected.

How the Transfer and Deportation Process Works

• Selection for Removal: ICE now targets a wider range of people for removal, including those who would have been considered low priority in the past.
• Transfer to Boeing Field: Detainees are moved from the Tacoma facility to Boeing Field in Seattle, where they are put on ICE-chartered flights. Families and lawyers often get little or no advance notice.
• Limited Legal Options: The chance for release on bond has been sharply reduced, especially for those who entered the country illegally. Only DHS can grant exceptions in some cases.
• Voluntary Departure: Some people can choose to leave the country on their own, which lets them avoid a formal deportation order. However, they must pay for their own travel and leave by a set deadline.

Conditions Inside Tacoma and Legal Challenges

Reports from immigration groups and lawyers describe tough conditions inside the Tacoma facility. Problems include overcrowding, poor medical care, and limited access to legal help. Many detainees struggle to find lawyers or get information about their cases.

Legal challenges are underway, especially over the denial of bond hearings and the indefinite detention of families and children. Lawyers argue that these policies violate basic rights and could lead to the wrongful detention of people with strong legal claims.

Expert and Advocacy Group Perspectives

Legal experts warn that the new policies undermine due process and could result in the deportation of people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years. They say that the rollback of prosecutorial discretion means that even people with no criminal record or those who are caregivers for U.S. citizen children are now at risk.

Advocacy groups argue that expanding detention and deportation will break up families, hurt local economies, and go against international human rights standards. They also point out that most ICE detention centers, including Tacoma, are run by private companies that profit from keeping more people locked up.

Financial Impact and Private Prison Industry

The OBBBA’s $45 billion budget for detention expansion is expected to benefit private prison companies. These companies operate most ICE detention centers and are paid based on the number of people held. Critics say this creates an incentive to detain more people for longer periods.

Future Outlook: More Detention, More Protests

The Trump administration has signaled plans to further expand detention capacity and speed up removals. More funding and new laws are expected in the coming months. At the same time, lawsuits are challenging the administration’s use of detention authority and the rollback of humanitarian protections.

Community protests and advocacy efforts are likely to grow, especially as more families and long-term residents are affected. Immigration groups say they will keep fighting for legal protections and humane treatment for all detainees.

What Affected Communities Need to Know

If you have a loved one detained at the Tacoma facility or are worried about possible transfer or deportation, here are some steps you can take:

• Check Detainee Status: Use the ICE Detainee Locator to find out if someone has been transferred or is scheduled for removal.
• Seek Legal Help: Contact the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project or the American Immigration Lawyers Association for legal advice and updates on cases from Tacoma.
• Know Your Rights: Even with the new policies, detainees have the right to legal representation and to be treated fairly. Ask for a lawyer and do not sign any documents you do not understand.
• Stay Informed: Follow updates from trusted immigration groups and official government sources for the latest information on policy changes and legal developments.

Summary Table: Recent ICE Transfers and Policy Changes (2025)

Official Resources for Families and Advocates

• ICE Detainee Locator: Find information on individuals detained or transferred by ICE.
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: Legal assistance and updates on Tacoma cases.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association: Legal resources and advocacy information.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Official policy updates and press releases.

Community Impact and Human Stories

The rise in ICE flights and transfers from Tacoma has real effects on families and communities. Many of those detained are parents, workers, and neighbors who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years. Children are separated from their parents, and families face uncertainty about their future.

Advocates share stories of people who have been detained without warning, sometimes during routine check-ins with ICE. Others are picked up at home or work. The lack of bond hearings means that many remain in detention for months, unable to support their families or prepare their legal cases.

Legal and Political Pushback

Lawsuits are challenging the administration’s use of indefinite detention and the denial of bond hearings. Courts will decide whether these policies violate the rights of detainees. Some lawmakers are calling for emergency protections for families and children, but new laws and funding for detention continue to move forward.

What Comes Next

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation at the Tacoma facility and across the United States 🇺🇸 is likely to remain tense and uncertain. The Trump administration’s focus on detention and deportation is expected to continue, with more people at risk of removal. Immigration groups and legal advocates will keep pushing for changes and fighting for the rights of detainees.

Practical Guidance for Those Affected

• Stay Connected: Keep in touch with legal aid groups and community organizations for support and updates.
• Document Everything: Keep records of all communications with ICE and any paperwork received.
• Prepare for Emergencies: Have a plan in place in case of detention or deportation, including emergency contacts and legal documents.

Conclusion

The transfer of migrants from Tacoma onto ICE flights is part of a larger trend of increased detention and deportation under new federal policies. Immigration groups continue to protest and offer support, while families and communities face growing uncertainty. Staying informed, seeking legal help, and connecting with advocacy organizations are key steps for those affected by these changes. For the latest official information, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website.

Learn Today

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → U.S. federal agency managing immigration enforcement and deportation processes.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) → 2025 law allocating $45 billion to expand detention centers and allow indefinite detention.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → Program allowing temporary stay for people from unsafe countries due to war or disaster.
Bond Hearing → A court hearing determining if a detainee can be released before case resolution.
GEO Group → Private company operating many ICE detention centers including Tacoma with profit from detainee numbers.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, ICE dramatically increased deportations, transferring over 1,300 people from Tacoma detention to flights amid protests. New policies allow indefinite detention without bond, sparking legal challenges and public outcry over family separations and due process violations.
— By VisaVerge.com