VX-Tacoma Hunger Strike

Activists claim there has been a month-long hunger strike at the ICE detention facility in Tacoma. Authorities investigating the claims have been denied access. The Washington State Department of Health has been denied entry twice to investigate complaints. Hunger strikes have occurred at the facility in the past, resulting in one death five years ago. A new law allowing health department inspections was passed, but the private prison company operating the facility sued over the law. The company cites ongoing litigation as the reason for denying entry. Over 200 complaints about conditions have been received this year. Activists with the group La Resistencia say there's been a hunger strike at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Tacoma for almost a month, but authorities who have tried to investigate some of the claims of mistreatment made by the hunger strikers have been turned away. Allie Watson, UW News. Washington State Department of Health officials say they've been denied entry twice while making unannounced visits to investigate the validity of various complaints. Detainees protesting conditions have staged hunger strikes at the ICE detention center in Tacoma on and off for years. Five years ago, one hunger striker died. Earlier this year, Washington State lawmakers passed a new law that allows the health department to inspect the center, but GeoGroup, the private prison company that operates the immigration facility, sued over the law. State health officials say GeoGroup has cited the ongoing litigation as the reason for denying them entry. In court documents, they note they've received more than 200 complaints about the conditions from April to November of this year.