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'Deeply concerned': Jayapal presses Noem on ICE expansion
The congresswoman alleged that the increased funding for ICE has done little to ensure safety for detainees.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Tue, 24, Feb 2026
- 02:36 EST
- 16
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal / X/@pramiljaypal
Pramila Jayapal has written to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressing concern over her department's plans to double its detention capacity in the Pacific Northwest.
The DHS had recently published a presolicitation notice, posted on an official government contracting site, to create a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Seattle.
ALSO READ: Jayapal seeks ICE review for detained amputee
Rep. Jayapal, along with more than two dozen of her Democratic congressional peers, alleged that the Northwest Processing Center has a "brazen record of violating agency policy by shackling a pregnant woman, denying adequate medical care to detained persons, and blocking detained persons from accessing legal counsel."
Jayapal also added that the surge of ICE funding from the "Big Beautiful Bill" has not contributed in any way to addressing these alleged issues.
Appealing to Noem not to go ahead with the plan, the letter read, "We are deeply concerned that ICE is seeking to double its capacity in the Pacific Northwest. We request that you and the Department establish clear lines of communication with our offices and local officials as soon as possible to ensure our delegation’s concerns are considered."
It added, "We also request detailed information on plans or communications regarding the development of immigration detention facilities in the Seattle area of responsibility."
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