Alaska Transfers ICE Detainees Out of Anchorage Jail Amid Controversy Over Conditions
In late June 2025, the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) transferred 35 ICE detainees out of the Anchorage Correctional Complex (ACC) after weeks of rising controversy, legal demands, and public outcry. These detainees had been flown to Alaska from overcrowded ICE facilities in the Lower 48, particularly Tacoma, Washington, under a federal contract. The episode revealed key tensions between state capabilities, federal immigration policies, and civil rights protections.
Key Events and Timeline
| Date | Event |
| June 4, 2025 | ICE requests Alaska DOC to house detainees due to Tacoma overcrowding. |
| June 8, 2025 | 42 male ICE detainees arrive at Anchorage Correctional Complex. |
| June 9–20, 2025 | 8 detainees transferred out early. |
| June 28, 2025 | ACLU sends formal complaint letter to Alaska DOC and ICE. |
| June 30, 2025 | Remaining 35 detainees transferred out of Alaska. |
| July 1, 2025 | Media and public learn of transfer; controversy grows. |
Facility and Contract Details
- Location: Cook Inlet Pretrial Facility, part of ACC
- Contract Type: Federal contract between Alaska DOC and U.S. Marshals Service
- Daily Rate: $223.70 per detainee
- Expected Revenue: ~$270,000 if detainees stayed full 30 days
Conditions at Anchorage Jail
| Standard | Anchorage Jail (ACC) | ICE Facility (Tacoma, WA) |
| Legal Access | Limited; required ICE agent approval | Dedicated legal rooms with attorney access |
| Outdoor Recreation | None | Daily outdoor time |
| Language Translation | Lacking (14 languages spoken) | Available multilingual support |
| Communication | Only to memorized phone numbers | Tablets & monitored communications |
| Medical Care | Reportedly substandard | On-site medical services |
| Detention Purpose | Criminal detainees | Civil immigration detention |
| Notable Incidents | Suicide watch, solitary confinement reported | Regular oversight mechanisms |
Public & Legal Response
- ACLU Letter (June 28):
Demanded no detainees be held over 72 hours due to civil rights violations. - Protests:
Over 80 protesters gathered outside ACC on June 9. - Legislative Hearing (June 20):
Alaska House Judiciary Committee investigated treatment and policy. - DOC Statement:
Commissioner Jen Winkelman admitted “bumps in the road” but said ACC was never intended for long-term ICE detention.
National Context
- ICE Overcrowding Nationwide:
Over 58,000 detainees held against a national capacity of 41,000. - Broader Crackdown:
Post-January 2025 immigration enforcement by the Trump administration led to detaining non-criminal migrants, 60% of recent ICE arrests had no criminal convictions. - Parallel Cases:
Similar detainee overflow strategies used in Kentucky and Florida (e.g., “Alligator Alcatraz”).
FAQs
Q1: Why were ICE detainees sent to Alaska?
They were moved from overcrowded facilities in the Lower 48, primarily Tacoma, WA, due to limited ICE detention space.
Q2: Why were they transferred out again so quickly?
Due to mounting pressure from the ACLU, public protests, and unsuitability of Anchorage jail for civil immigration detention.
Q3: Where were the detainees sent after leaving Alaska?
ICE and Alaska DOC have not disclosed their new locations, citing security reasons. Likely destinations include Tacoma or other contracted jails.
Q4: What were the main human rights concerns?
Advocacy groups cited poor access to legal help, no outdoor time, limited phone access, language barriers, and medical neglect.
Q5: Does Alaska plan to house ICE detainees again?
Unclear. While the DOC claimed the arrangement was temporary, no formal announcement has been made on ending the contract.
What happened to ICE detainees in Anchorage, Alaska in July 2025?
In July 2025, 35 ICE detainees held at Anchorage Correctional Complex were transferred out of Alaska after weeks of civil rights complaints about jail conditions. The detainees were flown in from overcrowded facilities in the Lower 48 under a federal contract but removed following legal pressure from the ACLU and protests. The Anchorage jail was criticized as unsuitable for civil detainees, and officials have not disclosed where they were sent.
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