(WASHINGTON) Seven suspected cases of tuberculosis have been reported among immigrants held at the Tacoma ICE detention center as of early August 2025, raising urgent public health concerns. The Washington State Department of Health is monitoring the situation closely, with advocacy groups, attorneys, and detainees expressing alarm about possible exposure and the quality of care inside the facility.
The outbreak began after a series of detainee transfers between Tacoma and Anchorage, Alaska, in June 2025. According to the Washington State Department of Health, 40 detainees were sent from Tacoma to Anchorage, where conditions were described as “very poor.” On June 30, 35 of these detainees returned to Tacoma and were told by ICE that they had been exposed to tuberculosis during their time in Alaska. As of August 1, 2025, seven individuals at the Tacoma ICE detention center have started treatment for suspected tuberculosis based on symptoms and medical imaging, but there are no laboratory-confirmed cases yet.
How the Outbreak Unfolded
The suspected tuberculosis outbreak has drawn attention to the risks of transferring detainees between facilities, especially when medical screening and communication are inconsistent. At least one detainee, a Peruvian asylum seeker, was hospitalized with tuberculosis after returning to Tacoma. His attorney, Sean Quirk, and the ACLU of Alaska have criticized ICE for failing to keep legal representatives informed about detainees’ health and whereabouts. Quirk reported that his client was “disappeared” for over a week after being hospitalized, with ICE refusing to share his location or condition.
Official Responses and Disputes
The Washington State Department of Health requires the Tacoma ICE detention center to report both confirmed and suspected tuberculosis cases. Treatment for the seven suspected cases began promptly, but confirmation depends on laboratory results. ICE has denied allegations of inhumane treatment, stating that all detainees receive proper medical care, recreation, and meals approved by nutritionists. ICE also acknowledged some temporary crowding due to increased detention numbers but insists it is managing capacity and following federal standards.
The Alaska Department of Corrections, meanwhile, disputes claims that detainees were exposed to tuberculosis in Anchorage. Officials there say all ICE detainees were screened and that no active tuberculosis cases were found during their stay. This disagreement has added to confusion and frustration among detainees and their advocates.
Advocacy Groups and Legal Concerns
Immigrant advocacy group La Resistencia and the ACLU of Alaska have accused ICE of overcrowding, poor medical care, and failing to communicate with legal representatives. They argue that inconsistent tuberculosis screening and lack of transparency put detainees at risk. Angelina Godoy from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights called the situation “cruelty happening now on a daily basis,” highlighting the emotional and physical toll on those detained.
Attorneys and advocates say that detainees exposed to tuberculosis face long treatment periods, isolation, and uncertainty about their health and legal status. They also report that communication barriers make it hard for detainees to access legal help during medical crises.
Systemic Issues and Broader Context
The Tacoma ICE detention center has a history of complaints about medical neglect, overcrowding, and poor living conditions. Previous outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, have been reported in recent years. Transfers between facilities, often across state lines, are common ICE practices but have been criticized for disrupting medical care and increasing health risks.
A recent Human Rights Watch report points out that overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate medical care are not unique to Tacoma but are problems in other ICE facilities as well. These conditions make it easier for diseases like tuberculosis to spread and have led to preventable suffering and deaths.
Public Health and Reporting Requirements
Tuberculosis spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes, making crowded places like detention centers especially risky. Public health experts say that transmission usually requires close, prolonged contact, which is common in these settings.
ICE facilities must report confirmed tuberculosis cases to state health authorities and start treatment for suspected cases based on symptoms, imaging, and risk factors. The Washington State Department of Health continues to monitor the situation and is waiting for lab results to confirm active cases. The facility is under close watch to ensure it follows public health rules and federal detention standards.
Multiple Perspectives and Ongoing Investigations
While ICE insists it is following all federal standards and managing the situation, independent observers, advocacy groups, and affected individuals strongly disagree. They argue that the outbreak is a sign of deeper problems in the U.S. immigration detention system, including neglect and abuse.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outbreak at the Tacoma ICE detention center has led to renewed calls for better oversight, improved medical screening, and more transparency in how ICE handles health crises. The number of confirmed tuberculosis cases may change as more lab results come in, and investigations by state health authorities, advocacy groups, and the media are ongoing.
Implications for Immigrants and Their Families
For immigrants held at the Tacoma ICE detention center, the tuberculosis outbreak means more than just a health scare. Many face long periods of isolation during treatment, uncertainty about their legal status, and fear for their own safety. Families and legal representatives often struggle to get information about their loved ones’ health and whereabouts, adding to the stress and confusion.
Attorneys like Sean Quirk argue that these conditions violate detainees’ constitutional rights and basic human dignity. Advocacy groups are pushing for changes to detention and transfer practices to reduce health risks and improve communication.
What Can Be Done?
Experts and advocates suggest several steps to address the crisis and prevent future outbreaks:
- 🩺 Improve medical screening: Ensure all detainees are screened for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases before and after transfers.
- 🔍 Increase transparency: Require ICE to keep legal representatives and families informed about detainees’ health and location.
- 🚪 Reduce overcrowding: Limit the number of detainees in each facility to lower the risk of disease spread.
- 🛡️ Strengthen oversight: Have independent health officials regularly inspect detention centers for compliance with public health standards.
The Washington State Department of Health provides up-to-date information and resources about tuberculosis and public health protocols. For more details, visit the official DOH website.
Looking Ahead
The tuberculosis outbreak at the Tacoma ICE detention center highlights ongoing challenges in the U.S. immigration detention system. As investigations continue and more information becomes available, there may be changes in policy at both the state and federal levels. For now, detainees, their families, and advocates are calling for urgent action to protect health and human rights.
By staying informed and pushing for better practices, communities can help ensure that everyone—regardless of immigration status—receives safe and humane treatment.
This Article in a Nutshell
