FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2023

MEDIA CONTACTS
Christina Caan, Office of Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker, ccaan@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 219-0679

Lynda Foster, Office of Council Member Catherine Ushka, lfoster@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5166
Maria Lee, Media & Communications Office, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

A Statement From Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker and Council Member Catherine Ushka
on Passage of Bill Mandating Consistent Set of Standards for Private and Public Detention Facilities Statewide

“We appreciate the Washington State Legislature’s work on 2SHB 1470 which, with Gov. Jay Inslee’s support, mandates that private and public detention facilities be held to a consistent set of operational standards statewide. These standards will inform all decisions made around food, healthcare and rehabilitative services for those who are detained in Washington state, including the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. Conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center have been a source of deep concern for many of our community members over the years, and their voices are reflected clearly in this bill. We are grateful to State Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self for her leadership in sponsoring this bill, and the many legislators, testifiers, and advocates, including the dedicated team at La Resistencia, who joined us in support of it throughout the legislative process.”

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