Nisqually Tribe rejects ICE request for detention space

The Nisqually Tribal Council said it will not allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain immigrants on its reservation or in its facilities, according to the Seattle Times. The council said it learned ICE had contacted a staff member without consulting tribal leadership and had also reached out to other tribal governments and cities in Washington to secure detention space. The Nisqually Indian Tribe, located east of Olympia and operating a 288-bed correctional facility built in part with federal funds, told ICE it would not participate.

Tribal Chair E.K. Choke said he was unaware of any discussions between the tribe and ICE until contacted by the Seattle Times, which received information about talks regarding detention space. Washington’s only immigrant detention center, the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, has faced crowding, and ICE transferred some detainees to Alaska earlier this year. Advocates with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project raised concerns about the possibility of detention on tribal land. The Nisqually Tribal Council said its decision aligns with the tribe’s history and values of treating all individuals with humanity and compassion.