Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC)

From the official ICE page, checked 2026-10-21. Rules change; confirm with the facility.

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (253) 779-6000. When you call, please have the individual's biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (253) 396-1611 and leave the detainee's full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at www.gettingout.com.

From the official ICE page, checked 2026-10-21. Rules change; confirm with the facility.

Friends and Family Visits

Visitation is open every day including federal holidays.

General Visitation

Even numbered dates: (Example 2,4,6,8)

7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. - Level 1, 2 (Low, Medium-low classifications)

12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. - Level 2, 3 (Medium-high, High classification)

Odd numbered dates: (Example 1,3,5,7)

7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. - Level 3 (Medium-high, High classification)

12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. - Level 1, 2 (Low, Medium-low classifications)

Visitors must be checked-in no later than 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., or 8:15 p.m., respectfully, to allow for enough time to process at least an hour visit. Visitor arriving after those times will be permitted, understanding they will not receive an hour visit.

Every effort will be made to allow you to receive visitors. Sessions will be no less than one hour under normal conditions. In unforeseen circumstances, such as the number of visitors exceeding visiting room capacity, facility may modify visiting periods. More time may be authorized by the Shift Supervisor for family members traveling significant distances. A maximum of two adults and two children may visit at any one time. This regulation will be interpreted flexibly and subject to exceptions. Members of clergy who present proper identification will be admitted to visitation upon request. Visitors will be limited to one session per day.

Any disruptive behavior by either party will result in the termination of the visit and may cause future visits to be denied. If your visitor(s) bring children (17 years of age or younger) they are expected to maintain direct supervision of those children and prevent disruption to other visitors. Visitors must be in appropriate and socially accepted attire. A dress code for visitors is posted at the visiting area. Visitors are not permitted to carry personal items into the visiting area. Lockers are provided to secure these items. Transportation options available to visitors include taxi or Pierce Transit buses, nearest stop is the Tacoma Dome Station.

Visitation hours are subject to change. Please check schedules posted in the dayrooms.

Visitation Rules

Visitors must show appropriate picture identification to enter the facility.

A maximum of two adults and two children may visit at any one time.

If your visitor(s) bring children (17 years of age or younger) they are expected to maintain direct supervision of those children and prevent disruption to other visitors. Any disruptive behavior by either party will result in the termination of the visit and may cause future visits to be denied.

Visitors are not permitted to carry personal items into the visiting area. Lockers are provided to secure these items.

No coats, jackets, vests, sweaters or sweatshirts that have pockets and or hoods. Seasonal outerwear and overcoats shall be placed in the lockers.

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

Visitors must be in appropriate and socially accepted attire.

Visitors may use the kiosk at the Front Entrance to place U.S. currency into a detainee's account

Dress Code for Visitors

Female Visitors (Age 12 and Older)

Shorts shall cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts may be no higher than mid-thigh. Short shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other garments higher than mid-thigh are prohibited.

Skirts and dresses shall extend no higher than mid-thigh, seated.

Slits in skirts and dresses shall rise no higher than mid-thigh, seated.

Sheer (see-through) clothing is prohibited.The top of clothing shall be no lower than the underarm in the front and back. Bare midriffs and strapless tops, tube tops, and swimsuits are prohibited.

Shoes shall be worn at all times.

Recognized gang "colors" and other gang displays are prohibited.

Hats, caps, or hoodies are not permitted

Purses, bags, or wallets are not permitted.

Male Visitors (Age 12 and Older)

Shorts shall cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts may be no higher than mid-thigh. Short shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.Shirts shall be worn at all times. Muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts and sleeveless shirts are prohibited.

Shoes shall be worn at all times.

Gang "colors" and other gang displays are prohibited.Hats, caps, or hoodies are not permitted

Purses, bags, or wallets are not permitted.

Attorney Visits

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

In-person visitation

8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Including weekends and holidays

Legal visitation can now be scheduled in advance through ERO eFile on a first come basis. Appointments are scheduled in increments of 30-minutes. Back-to-back appointments are permitted, but may not exceed 60 minutes. Walk-in visits are still permitted, however scheduled legal visits will be prioritized. Please see flyer for details. Only Qualified Representatives, (appointed consistent with 2015 - Franco-Gonzalez v. Holder, No. CV 10-02211 DMG (DTBx) (C.D. Cal.)), may book extended-time appointments through ERO eFile during the hours of 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. including weekends and holidays. Qualified Representatives may book up to 2 back-to-back appointments (subject to approval by the Facility) for the same client. If a legal representative is making an appointment consistent with PBNDS 2011 Section 5.7 (V.N.1) and Section 4.3 (V.FF), the legal representative must upload the written request in the Attorney Authorization Letter field and the Professional Licensure/Curriculum Vitae to the Medical/Mental Health Evaluators field. A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Video Teleconferencing

Legal representatives must request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls with their clients or prospective clients through ERO eFile for all scheduled appointments. All scheduled appointments through ERO eFile will receive confirmation notifications through ERO eFile. Please see the flyer for details. Appointments are subject to availability during the following times:

Virtual Visitation: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Including weekends and holidays

All appointments through ERO eFile will include the:

Legal representative’s full name

Legal representative’s contact information, including phone number(s) and email address

Detainee’s name

Detainee’s alien number (otherwise a search may be done utilizing the detainee’s name, date of birth, and country of birth)

In some situations, a legal representative may also be required to confirm the detention facility location of the detainee

Legal representatives should notate their meeting ID and the passcode in the Virtual Meeting Information section for the appointment in ERO eFile. If only a phone call is requested, please notate accordingly and include the phone number for the legal call. (This is required before being able to select an available appointment time.) Appointments will require the following attachments uploaded in ERO eFile (otherwise appointments may be subject to cancellation):

A scan of the legal representative’s government issued identification

A scan of the legal representative’s identification or documentation reflecting their status as an active legal representative, such as a state bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar legal status

A copy of the attorney’s ERO eFiled G-28 (unless this is a pre-representational visit)

If a legal assistant is the only legal representative to join the call, the email should also attach a letter of authorization on the firm’s/organization’s letterhead and a scan of the assistant’s identification

Legal representative’s failure to abide by the Virtual Attorney Visitation guidelines may result in the immediate cancellation or termination of a VTC session and/or suspension of future requests. Please note appointments may be scheduled up to 2 weeks in advance, but no later than 24 hours prior to the appointment. Appointments are on a first come basis. If scheduled appointments are no longer required, please cancel or reschedule the appointment in advance. Appointments are scheduled in 30-minute intervals. However, two 30-minute appointments may be booked back-to-back to make a full 60-minute appointment. Legal representatives are not limited on the number of virtual legal visit appointments they can request, but no legal representative is permitted more than one 60-minute appointment with a detainee in a single day Scheduling and applicable rules are subject to change pending demand and availability.

Please note the facility reserves the right to cancel or reschedule appointments in the event of safety/security risk at the facility and also to ensure equal access to legal visitation by other legal representatives and aliens.

The same guidelines for in-person attorney/client visits apply to VTC meetings and legal calls. Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters are allowed; no family or friends of the clients are permitted. The attorney and/or his/her agents may contact outside interpretation services during the call or session. The sessions are confidential; a visitation officer will be stationed outside of the confidential room to ensure security by standing out of earshot but within eyeshot. The officer will knock 5 minutes before the cut off time. If there is no available time slot or if you have an exigent circumstance you may contact Nwipcattorney@geogroup.com.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer in charge of the facility can be reached at (253) 779-6000.

Clergy Visits

The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center provides detainee religious services/programs five days per week.

Visiting Restrictions

All family or other social visits are non-contact.

No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.

If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.

All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.

Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.

Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.

From the official ICE page, checked 2026-10-21. Rules change; confirm with the facility.

Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (Alien Number), plus the sender's name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.

Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.

When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.

If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.

A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. Before sending packages to detainees, contact the Supervisory Immigration Enforcement Agent at the facility at:

(253) 779-6000

Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.