Trump is threatening mass deportations. What would that mean for ICE lockup in Tacoma?

The article discusses the potential role of the Northwest Immigration Processing Center in Tacoma in President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation strategy, which aims to target millions of undocumented immigrants. The facility, with a capacity of 1,575 beds, is insufficient for the over 10,000 individuals currently under ICE surveillance in the Seattle area. Legal experts raise questions about the logistics of the deportation process, including where individuals will be held and the estimated annual costs of $88 billion. The article also addresses the immigration court backlog, which exceeds 3. 7 million cases, complicating the prospect of swift deportations.

Local leaders, including Washington's governor-elect, are preparing to defend immigrant rights against potential federal overreach. The discussion includes ethical concerns about detaining families, referencing past issues with the “zero tolerance” policy. Warden-Hertz, an attorney with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, emphasizes the importance of legal representation and due process. The article concludes by noting that while the facility has capacity, the legal and logistical challenges may impede the effective implementation of Trump's deportation plans.