Judge Orders Release of ICE Detainee After 'Unreasonable Failures of Care'

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A man from the Philippines awaiting the result of a deportation order has been released from Tacoma's Northwest ICE Processing Center following a federal court order that called the man's detention unconstitutionally 'punitive.' U.S. District Judge Tana Lin granted the release requested in the case, citing 'unreasonable failures of care' at the facility that led to the detainee suffering a medical emergency and subsequent amputation.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment and medical care of detainees at ICE detention facilities, which have faced lawsuits and scrutiny over substandard conditions and inadequate access to healthcare. The judge's ruling that the detention was 'punitive' rather than administrative raises questions about the legality of certain ICE detention practices.

The details

The detainee, a man from the Philippines whose name was not released, was held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. While in custody, he suffered a medical emergency that led to the amputation of his leg. Judge Tana Lin found that the facility failed to provide the man with reasonable and necessary medical care, calling the failures 'unreasonable' and unconstitutional.

• The detainee was held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington.
• The detainee suffered a medical emergency and subsequent amputation while in custody at the facility.