April 15, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Day 1 Alliance, the trade association representing private sector contractors working in the criminal justice and immigration systems, released the following statement from National Spokesperson Alexandra Wilkes on Washington Governor Jay Inslee signing HB 1090, a bill aimed at shutting down the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma:

“This legislation is a misguided, politically-motivated effort to ‘Abolish ICE’ by targeting longtime government contractors who have zero role in deciding federal immigration policy.

“Even President Biden’s Department of Justice filed a brief last month in federal court opposing a similar law in California on Constitutional grounds.

“The Northwest ICE Processing Center has operated in Tacoma for more than two decades under Democratic and Republican presidential administrations, offering high-quality services and respectful, dignified care throughout.

“This facility is outfitted specifically to care for individuals going through the immigration review process, providing in-house health care services, access to the U.S. legal system, immigrant-rights advocates, religious services, recreation, and more.

“This legislation could have serious negative consequences for the very individuals it’s supposed to help, resulting in migrants being transferred to local jails, where they could be placed alongside dangerous criminals, likely in overcrowded conditions, with less access to critical services, and moved far from family and friends.

“While we respect all who engage in a thoughtful debate on this issue, it must be one based on the facts and reality, not politically-motivated misinformation.”

About the Day 1 Alliance:

The Day 1 Alliance (D1A) is a trade association representing private sector contractors helping government agencies address corrections and detention challenges in the United States. For more than 35 years, D1A members have worked with local, state, and federal governments led by members of both political parties to provide professional, humane, and respectful treatment to incarcerated and detained individuals. From day one, we understand we have a responsibility to provide safe and dignified care to those in our facilities. D1A members do not lobby for or against policies, regulations, or legislation that impact the basis for or duration of an individual’s incarceration or detention.

The members of the Day 1 Alliance are CoreCivic, The GEO Group, Management & Training Corporation, and LaSalle Corrections.

Learn more at day1alliance.org and follow us on Twitter @TheDay1Alliance.

Media inquiries:
contact@day1alliance.org

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