The Brief
- A federal judge has ordered the release of Garnet Smith, a 44-year-old honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran and lawful permanent resident detained by ICE in Tacoma for nine months following past domestic violence convictions, according to court documents.
- During his detention, Smith reported being sexually assaulted by a guard during a pat-down search and subsequently subjected to an invasive strip search.
- According to community advocates gathered to celebrate the ruling, plans are underway to transport Smith back to Spokane to reunite with his family, while ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
TACOMA, Wash. – A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the release of a 44-year-old U.S. Army veteran held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma for 9 months, according to court documents and community supporters.
What we know:
Garnet Smith, a Jamaican-born lawful permanent resident, was detained by federal immigration authorities in October during a targeted Enforcement and Removal Operations action in Spokane, Washington. Supporters present at the detention center Tuesday told FOX 13 that more than a dozen ICE agents took Smith into custody while he was working at a car dealership.…