How to get out of a detention center in the USA – Northwest ICE Processing Center | Complete information, release methods (+ download sample applications)

Immigration to the USA – How to Get Out of the Northwest ICE Processing Center and Accelerate the Legalization Process
Immigration to the USA is a dream for millions of people worldwide. However, for many who choose to cross the border through Mexico, this dream can turn into a real nightmare. Even if you use the official CBP ONE app for legal border crossing, it does not guarantee that you won’t end up in an immigration detention center. In such a case, getting out of this "captivity" can become a real challenge. But despite the difficulties, some people have a chance to receive refugee status, the so-called "white card," and become a U.S. resident.
In this article, we will thoroughly explore how one of these centers works — the Northwest ICE Processing Center, what steps need to be taken to avoid deportation, and how you can help your loved ones get released.

1. General Information about Northwest ICE Processing Center
The Northwest ICE Processing Center is one of the largest immigration centers in the USA, located in Tacoma, Washington. It opened in 2004 and can hold up to 1,575 people. This center is mainly used to detain adult men and women who have violated U.S. immigration laws.
The center is operated by the private company The GEO Group under a contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite the center's purpose of processing asylum applications and detaining violators, the quality of conditions in it raises serious concerns. In 2024, several complaints were filed regarding mistreatment and inadequate medical care. Problems with the conditions in such facilities have become widespread, and the high suicide rates among detainees raise questions about the need for reform in these centers.

2. Conditions and Infrastructure
The conditions in the Northwest ICE Processing Center are, unfortunately, far from ideal. Detainees often report overcrowding in cells and violations of their privacy. In such conditions, every day becomes a real struggle for basic living conditions.
Moreover, the sanitation quality leaves much to be desired. Many detainees report the presence of insects and mold in the cells, which exacerbates the already difficult living conditions. The quality of food is also criticized; detainees often complain about spoiled food and poor quality meals.
Regulars at the center also report issues with physical activity — despite having an exercise area, access to it is limited, and there is not enough time for rest. Living conditions here are tough and require people to make significant efforts to maintain both their mental and physical health.

3. Daily Routine and Rules
How is a day structured at the Northwest ICE Processing Center? The day begins with a check, after which detainees are provided with three meals a day. However, the timing of meals varies, and they often fail to meet quality standards.
Phone calls are allowed, but they are paid, adding additional difficulties for detainees who try to maintain contact with their relatives and attorneys. Visits are strictly limited and take place only on weekends, and relatives must go through extra security checks to enter the facility.
Living in this center comes with strict rules, both regarding the number of visitors and the duration of their visits. These limitations hinder normal communication between detainees and their loved ones or defenders.

4. Sanitation and Safety
Regarding sanitation, cleaning in the Northwest ICE Processing Center is supposed to be regular, but reports from detainees often show that it is not. Mold and pests are a real problem that people in detention face.
Medical care is available, but its quality often leaves much to be desired. Detainees complain about insufficient medical support, which can lead to deteriorating health and even death in some cases. In this context, safety issues are also concerning — cases of violence by guards, along with a lack of transparency in some aspects of security, make the situation in the center unsafe.

5. Statistics and Indicators
The average detention duration at the Northwest ICE Processing Center is about 30 days. However, this time can vary depending on various factors such as personal circumstances and court decisions.
Statistics show that many people, primarily from Mexico and other Latin American countries, have been deported from the center. It's important to remember that success in obtaining asylum depends on many factors. To increase your chances of success, you need to actively work with ICE, submit documents, and monitor the process.

6. How to Get Released from a Detention Center
Now, let’s discuss how you can get released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center. It's important to understand that there are two parallel processes necessary for your release:

1. Release Process: This process is aimed at your release from the center.
2. Immigration Process: This process includes filing for asylum, participating in court hearings, and other legal steps.

These two processes go on simultaneously and do not contradict each other. Even if your asylum interview or court case does not result in immediate release, you can still attempt to get out through other methods.
Release Process Steps:

1. Release on Parole
This is the fastest way to get released, but you need to have a sponsor — a U.S. citizen or a green card holder. The sponsor must prepare a package of documents, including:

• A sponsorship letter, which must be notarized.
• A guarantee of housing.
• Positive character references for the detainee.
• Proof of address and financial means.

These documents are sent to ICE, and the release process continues with regular interaction with ICE officers.

2. Release on Bond
If a judge or ICE sets a bond amount, the detainee can be released after the bond is paid. To do this, it's necessary to provide evidence that the detainee does not pose a threat and has stable ties to the community.

3. Immigration Process
If the previous methods do not result in release, you must go through the entire process, participate in a fear interview, where an ICE officer assesses if you fear persecution. Additionally, you need to submit asylum documents using Form I-589 and participate in court hearings.

7. Preparing the Sponsorship Package
To prepare the sponsorship package, the sponsor should:

• Write a sponsorship letter, which must be notarized.
• Attach proof of housing, such as utility bills or bank statements.
• Prove financial stability by providing tax returns for the last year.

The sponsorship package can be sent by email, fax, or regular mail.