How immigration enforcement policies impact Pierce County

Stories highlight increased detention rates at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and its role in federal immigration operations. Local organizations and advocates are working to support detained individuals, asylum seekers, and long-term residents affected by these policies, such as green card holders facing deportation due to past minor offenses.

Meanwhile, local governments and law enforcement are reaffirming their commitment to state law. As national discourse intensifies, Pierce County continues to grapple with balancing federal mandates and protecting immigrant communities.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Northwest ICE Processing Center holds and processes detainees, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: TACOMA IMMIGRATION COURT ONLY IN NATION DENYING RESIDENTS BOND HEARINGS, LAWSUIT CLAIMS

The class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleges the policy is a “draconian” interpretation of federal law. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

Lewelyn Dixon, 64, of Edgewood, is shown in a July 2024 photo. Dixon, a University of Washington lab technician and a green card holder, is detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center due to a prior criminal conviction. She was detained Feb. 28 after returning to the United States from a trip to the Philippines . By Melania Madriaga

NO. 2: SHE’S BEEN IN US FOR 50 YEARS. NOW PIERCE COUNTY WOMAN WITH GREEN CARD DETAINED BY ICE

Her attorney said she was detained when she returned from an overseas trip due to a prior nonviolent criminal conviction. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

NO. 3: OVER 14,000 TACOMANS AREN’T U.S. CITIZENS. WHO IS VULNERABLE TO DEPORTATION UNDER TRUMP?

“You can get picked up anywhere and everywhere, and that’s what people need to know,” a refugee advocate told The News Tribune. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

The Northwest ICE Processing Center, a privately-run jail for immigrants facing possible deportation, has been operating on Tacoma’s Tideflats for the last 20 years. It is shown on Thursday, April 11, 2024. By Tony Overman

NO. 4: TRUMP IS THREATENING MASS DEPORTATIONS. WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR ICE LOCKUP IN TACOMA?

The detention center in Tacoma is large, but its capacity is far surpassed by the number of people ICE is keeping tabs on in the Pacific Northwest. | Published December 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

A child staying at Tacoma’s former Comfort Inn plays soccer in the parking lot.

NO. 5: ORGANIZATION WORKING TO HOUSE ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES IS LOOKING TO CALL TACOMA HOME

After bringing nearly 200 unsheltered families to a Tacoma hotel, Thrive International wants to set up permanent operations for refugees here. | Published January 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Sheppard

Tacoma’s new therapeutic courts take a holistic approach to tackling recidivism in Tacoma Municipal Court at Pierce County County-City building, on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 6: PIERCE COUNTY LEADERS RESPOND TO WARNING NOT TO INTERFERE WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

A DOJ memo suggested potential prosecution for local officials. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

The Tacoma Police Department headquarters at 3701 S. Pine St. on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. By Drew Perine

NO. 7: TACOMA PD REAFFIRMS IMMIGRATION POLICY, SAYS IT HAS NO AGREEMENTS WITH ICE

The police department said it will protect every Tacoma resident, regardless of immigration status. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Puneet Bsanti

NO. 8: BRITISH TOURIST IS DETAINED AT TACOMA’S ICE FACILITY. WHAT’S DELAYING HER RETURN HOME?

The woman’s travel nightmare has raised questions about immigration enforcement and delays for people who need to go before an immigration judge. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

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NO. 9: UKRAINIAN GROCERY STORE IN FIFE TARGETED BY SUSPECTED IMPERSONATORS PRETENDING TO BE ICE

The Fife Police Department is investigating the incident. | Published March 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Puneet Bsanti

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.