Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC)

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (253) 779-6000. When you call, please have the individual's biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (253) 396-1611 and leave the detainee's full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at www.gettingout.com.

Immigration Court

For information about a matter before the immigration court, you may call 1-800-898-7180 to speak with them directly. Applications for relief from removal, and other applications requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.

Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you may call (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours.

Click the link for a list of pro bono representatives nationwide who might be able to assist you.

To Post a Delivery Bond

Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. The person posting the bond must show proof of identity (valid Government-issued photo identification, passport, military ID, LPR card, driver’s license, etc.). This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents them self before an officer or representative of this agency whenever a request is made.

Bonds for aliens detained by ICE may be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling. Acceptable forms of payment to post a bond are money orders, cashier’s checks or certified checks. For all bonds $10,000 and over, the only accepted method of payment is a single cashier or certified check. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

Sending Non-Confidential Messages to Detained Noncitizens

This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: www.gettingout.com.

Other Legal Access Related Communications

Requests for case information pertaining to noncitizens detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) be sent to Seattle.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals.

Contacting the Deportation Officer

To ascertain the identity of your client’s Deportation Officer, contact the Northwest ICE Processing Center to obtain that information at (253) 779-6000. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.

Submitting a G-28

G-28s filed on behalf of detained noncitizens at this facility can now be accepted through the online platform ERO eFile. Facility staff will not have access to ERO eFile at this time; legal representatives should download copies of their submitted G-28 for any in-person or remote legal visit.

Friends and Family Visits

Visitation is open 7 days a week including federal holidays. (Visitation will occur on holidays, regardless of the day the holiday falls on.) Visitors must follow all masking, social distance guidelines and COVID-19 screening requirements.

You may check-in 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time for each unit. If you arrive after the posted check-in times for a particular unit, if time allows, you may still visit, however you may not receive your full hour.

Visitors must be checked-in timely for each unit visit period, to allow for enough time to process an hour's visit. Sessions will be no less than one hour under normal conditions. In unforeseen circumstances, such as the number of visitors exceeding visiting room capacity, facility may modify visiting periods. Visit periods may be limited to help all signed-up visitors get enough time to visit.

During the pandemic, each unit will have a specific visit time slot available, two times each week, listed below. Units on quarantine will not be permitted to visit. If you are not sure, you may call the facility to ask before traveling.

Visitation Rules

• Visitors must show appropriate picture identification to enter the facility.
• A maximum of two adults and two children may visit at any one time.
• If your visitor(s) bring children (17 years of age or younger) they are expected to maintain direct supervision of those children and prevent disruption to other visitors. Any disruptive behavior by either party will result in the termination of the visit and may cause future visits to be denied.
• Visitors are not permitted to carry personal items into the visiting area. Lockers are provided to secure these items.
• No coats, jackets, vests, sweaters or sweatshirts that have pockets and or hoods. Seasonal outerwear and overcoats shall be placed in the lockers.
• Visitors will be limited to one session per day unless time and scheduling permit additional visits.
• Visitors must be in appropriate and socially accepted attire.
• Visitors may use the kiosk at the Front Entrance to place U.S. currency into a detainee's account

Dress Code for Visitors

• Female Visitors (Age 12 and Older)
  • Shorts shall cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh comply. Short shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
  • Skirts and dresses shall extend to mid-thigh, seated.
  • Slits in skirts and dresses shall rise no higher than mid-thigh, seated.
  • Sheer (see-through) clothing is prohibited. The top of clothing shall not be lower than the armpit in the front or back. Bare midriffs, tank tops, strapless tops, tube tops, and swimsuits are prohibited.
  • Shoes shall be worn at all times. Gang "colors" and other gang displays are prohibited.
  • No clothing with offensive pictures or writing.
• Male Visitors (Age 12 and Older)
  • Shorts shall cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh comply. Short shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
  • Shirts shall be worn at all times. Muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts and sleeveless shirts are prohibited.
  • Shoes shall be worn at all times.
  • Gang "colors" and other gang displays are prohibited

Attorney Visits

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Including weekends and holidays

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee's responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Please note that attorneys are permitted to bring in electronic devices such as: laptops, cell phones, tablets, iPads, etc. to visitation or court. An authorization form will need to be filled out when using an electronic device, which is available at the Front Desk.

Video Teleconferencing | Virtual Attorney Visitation

Legal representatives may request virtual legal visits with their clients or prospective clients by email at Nwipcattorney@geogroup.com.

A staff officer at Northwest ICE Processing Center will email back with a confirmed date and time. Please see the flyer for details.

The email should include:

• Legal representative’s full name
• Legal representative’s contact information, including phone number(s), and email address
• Detainee’s name
• Detainee’s alien number
• At least three proposed dates and times for the requested VAV meeting
• A scan of the legal representative’s government issued identification
• A scan of the legal representative’s identification or documentation reflecting their status as an active legal representative, such as a state bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar legal status.
• A scan of the attorney’s DHS Form G-28 (unless this is a pre-representational)
• If a legal assistant is the only legal representative to join the call, the email should also attach a letter of authorization on the firm’s/organization’s letterhead and a scan of the assistant’s identification.

All appointments for virtual legal visits should be made 24 hours prior to the desired appointment time to ensure that the facility receives the request in time. Appointments are scheduled daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PST). Virtual legal visits will be in 30-60 minute increments. All appointments are contingent on availability. Please note that legal representatives are not limited on the number of virtual legal appointments they can request, but no legal representative is permitted more than one 60-minute appointment with a detainee in a single day.

The same guidelines for in-person attorney/client visits will apply to virtual legal visits and legal calls. Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters will be allowed; no family or friends of the clients are permitted. The attorney and/or his/her agents may contact outside interpretation services during the call or session. The sessions will be confidential; a visitation officer will be stationed outside of the confidential room to ensure security by standing out of earshot but within eyeshot. The officer will knock 5 minutes before the cut off time.

Any violation of these rules may result in the immediate termination of the VAV meeting and the suspension or revocation of the attorney's or authorized representative's VAV privileges.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer in charge of the facility can be reached at (253) 779-6000.

Clergy Visits

The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center provides detainee religious services/programs five days per week.

Visiting Restrictions

• All family or other social visits are non-contact.
• No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
• If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
• All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
• Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.

Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (Alien Number), plus the sender's name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.

Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.

When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.

If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.

A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. Before sending packages to detainees, contact the Supervisory Immigration Enforcement Agent at the facility at:

(253) 779-6000

Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.

The facility has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of detainees and members of the staff. Therefore, interviews will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility. Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov.

Personal Interviews

A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing to the Seattle Field Office, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with and agreement to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility as provided to that person by staff.

Detainee Consent

A detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed, or recorded by the media. Before interviewing, photographing, or recording the voice of a detainee, a visiting representative of the media must obtain written permission from that individual.

All FOIA and Privacy Act requests must be submitted on form G-639 (Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request) or in letter format. All requests must contain the original, notarized signature of the subject in question. Please complete the form G-639 thoroughly and if writing a letter, be sure to include the full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-number of the alien you are seeking information about, as well as your full name, address, and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.

Mail your FOIA or Privacy Act request to:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Freedom of Information Act Office
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Room 585
Washington, D.C. 20536
Phone – 1 (866) 633-1182
Email – ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov

We strive to provide quality service to people in our custody, their family, friends, and to their official representatives. If you believe that we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
12500 Tukwila International Boulevard, 4th Floor
Seattle, WA 98168

If you feel that an ICE employee or contract services employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you may:

Contact the Field Office Director at:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
12500 Tukwila International Boulevard, 4th Floor
Seattle, WA 98168
(206) 835-0650

Write the Office of Professional Responsibility:

Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street, SW
Suite 1049
Mailstop 5099
Washington, DC 20536-5005

Contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC):

1-833-4ICE-OPR
ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov

You may also contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General:

DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Call: 1-800-323-8603
​Fax: 202-254-4292
DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV