Northwest ICE Processing Center

The Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) is an ICE detention facility that is located in Tacoma, Washington. This facility houses detainees who are in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

The ICE field office that works with Northwest ICE Processing Center is located in Seattle, Washington. If you need information about an ICE detainee housed at the NWIPC, call (253) 779-6000.

You must have the detainee's information ready when you call, including their full name (first, last, and hyphenated), any known aliases, date of birth, and country of birth.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) are Thursdays through Mondays, including federal holidays, and is based on security level. Visitation is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. However, visitation will always occur on holidays, regardless of what day it falls on.

• Even numbered dates: (Example 2,4,6,8)
  • 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Level 1, 2 (Low-blue, Medium-low-green, Medium-high-orange classifications)
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. - Level 3 (High-red classification)
• Odd numbered dates: (Example 1,3,5,7)
  • 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Level 3 (High-red classification)
  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. - Level 1, 2 (Low-blue, Medium-low-green, Medium-high-orange classifications)

During normal visiting days, check-in times are as follows:

• 7:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
• 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

If you arrive after the check in times in the afternoon or evening, you may still visit if time allows. However, you may not receive your full hour of visitation time. Visitors must be checked-in no later than 9:15 a.m., 2:45 p.m., or 8:15 p.m., respectively, to allow for enough time to process an hour visit. Visiting sessions will last a minimum of one hour under normal conditions.

Visitors will be limited to one visiting session per day unless time and scheduling permit additional visits.

General Rules

Adult visitors must have a valid, government-issued photo ID to enter the visiting room. Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times. A maximum of two adults and two children may visit at any one time. All visits are non-contact.

All visitors are subject to a pat-down search, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visiting area, or give any items to detainees. 

Visitors are not permitted to carry personal items into the visiting area. Lockers are provided to secure these items. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the visiting room at Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC). 

Parking is available on J Street immediately in front of the facility.

Dress Code

Visitors must be in appropriate and socially accepted attire. No coats, jackets, vests, sweaters, or sweatshirts that have pockets and/or hoods are allowed in the visiting room. Seasonal outerwear and overcoats shall be placed in the lockers. 

• Female Visitors (Age 12 and Older)
  • Shorts must cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh comply. Short-shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
  • Skirts and dresses must extend to mid-thigh, seated.
  • Slits in skirts and dresses can rise no higher than mid-thigh, seated.
  • Sheer (see-through) clothing is prohibited.
  • The top of clothing can't be lower than the armpit in the front or back. Bare midriffs, tank tops, strapless tops, tube tops, and swimsuits are prohibited.
  • Shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Gang “colors” and other gang displays are prohibited.
  • No clothing with offensive pictures or writing.
• Male Visitors (Age 12 and Older)
  • Shorts must be at least mid-thigh in length and cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy. Short-shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
  • Shirts must be worn at all times. Muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts, and sleeveless shirts are prohibited.
  • Shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Gang “colors” and other gang displays are prohibited.

Attorney Visits

Attorneys and/or paralegals are allowed to visit detainees daily, between 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Consular Visits

Consular officials are allowed to meet with their detained nationals at any time. All consular officials should bring appropriate credentials. If possible, arrangements should be made in advance by calling the ICE Supervisory Deportation officer at (253) 779-6000.

Clergy Visits

Clergy are allowed to visit detainees housed at Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) at any time. Arrangements should be made in advance through the chaplain's office.

You must include the detainee's name and alien number in the mailing address of all detainee mail. Also include your name and address in the envelope's "return address" section, or the mail will not be given to the detainee. Staff does not read incoming inmate mail, but they do check it for contraband.

Sending Packages

Detainees are not allowed to receive care packages. However, with the approval of the ICE Deportation Officer, they are allowed to receive items that are considered necessary for travel or release from agency custody. Before sending packages to detainees, contact the Supervisory Immigration Enforcement Agent at (253) 779-6000.

Detainees who are being removed from the United States are allowed to have one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not already have baggage, they may have one bag sent after receiving approval from the Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer. 

Electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) cannot be included in the detainee's luggage for security reasons.

How to Call an Inmate

Detainees housed at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) can't receive incoming calls. To leave an urgent message, you must call (253) 396-1611.

Your message must include the detainee’s full name and alien registration number, plus your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

How to Send Money

To send money to a detainee at Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC), mail a money order or cashier's check directly to the detainee. Do not send cash. Mail the cashier's check or money order to:

Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC)
Detainee Full Name and Alien Number
1623 E J Street, Suite 2
Tacoma, WA 98421-1615
United States

Visitors may use the kiosk at the front entrance of Northwest ICE Processing Center to place U.S. currency into a detainee’s account. The processing officer will issue a receipt for all funds that detainees receive.

To Post a Delivery Bond

When a detainee in ICE custody is placed into removal proceedings while they are in the United States, a delivery bond may be posted. When you post a delivery bond, you are required to show proof of identity.

Bonds for aliens detained by ICE can be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and their alien registration number before calling. 

Acceptable forms of payment for a delivery bond are money orders, cashier's checks, and certified checks. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

Programs For Inmates

This facility provides detainee religious services/programs five days per week.

Pictures of Northwest ICE Processing Center

Careers at Northwest ICE Processing Center

If you are interested in a career with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and would like more information about job openings at Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC), click here.