Local

Some held at Tacoma ICE detention center fear COVID spread

TACOMA, Wash. — Nine people held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma have joined in a hunger strike to protest what they say are unclean conditions amid worries about a COVID spread.

The strike began last week, according to the group La Resistencia.

The facility is among the largest immigration detention centers in the U.S.

It’s operated by the for-profit GEO Group in partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The hunger strikers want better cleaning, more nutritious food, better access to medical services and jobs that pay a minimum wage.

In a statement, GEO said it has taken steps to mitigate COVID risks through cleaning, social distancing and testing.