TACOMA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new law Monday that grants the state sweeping authority to conduct health inspections at private detention facilities.
The move aims to set enforceable health, safety, and human rights standards for detainees in private detention centers, including the Northwest ICE Processing Center, which is operated by The GEO Group under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“There has to be accountability,” said Kristin Ang, the policy director for Faith Action Network, a statewide multi-faith organization. She previously testified in favor of the bill in the legislature. “We all follow the law, and we all respect and preserve each other’s dignity. This should be no exception.”…