University of Washington Center for Human Rights
@uwchr.bsky.social
We partner with organizations on the front lines of local & global human rights struggles to conduct research in the service of real-world social change.
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New report! “Leaving the Door Wide Open" finds Flock Safety automated license plate reader technology threatens Washingtonians’ rights to privacy, protections for immigrants, and access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.
Read the report: www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
Read the report: www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
What do we mean when we say ICE is accessing Flock data?
Hear from UWCHR's Phil Neff on @opb.org discussing findings from our recent report, "Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement."
Listen here: www.opb.org/article/2025...
Hear from UWCHR's Phil Neff on @opb.org discussing findings from our recent report, "Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement."
Listen here: www.opb.org/article/2025...
December 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
What do we mean when we say ICE is accessing Flock data?
Hear from UWCHR's Phil Neff on @opb.org discussing findings from our recent report, "Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement."
Listen here: www.opb.org/article/2025...
Hear from UWCHR's Phil Neff on @opb.org discussing findings from our recent report, "Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement."
Listen here: www.opb.org/article/2025...
"'Had an abortion, search for female' is not a valid reason for a search under the [Spokane County Sheriff's Office] policy, Gregory said, because abortion is not a crime in Washington."
Who is searching Spokane County's data from their 60+ Flock cameras, and why?
rangemedia.co/flock-safety...
Who is searching Spokane County's data from their 60+ Flock cameras, and why?
rangemedia.co/flock-safety...
Texas deputy searched Spokane County Flock cameras for a woman who had an abortion– RANGE Media
Amidst nationwide and state scrutiny of the cameras, Spokane County’s Flock network was used by an out-of-state cop looking for a woman who had an abortion.
rangemedia.co
November 26, 2025 at 11:58 PM
"'Had an abortion, search for female' is not a valid reason for a search under the [Spokane County Sheriff's Office] policy, Gregory said, because abortion is not a crime in Washington."
Who is searching Spokane County's data from their 60+ Flock cameras, and why?
rangemedia.co/flock-safety...
Who is searching Spokane County's data from their 60+ Flock cameras, and why?
rangemedia.co/flock-safety...
New report from @hrw.org and @cristosal.bsky.social covers experiences of Venezuelan nationals sent by the Trump administration to El Salvador's CECOT prison.
"The prison director told us, 'You have arrived in hell.'"
"The prison director told us, 'You have arrived in hell.'"
NEW: The Venezuelan nationals the US government sent to El Salvador in March and April were tortured and subjected to other abuses, including sexual violence.
In a new report, HRW and @cristosal.bsky.social provide a comprehensive account of the treatment of these people in El Salvador.
In a new report, HRW and @cristosal.bsky.social provide a comprehensive account of the treatment of these people in El Salvador.
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 PM
New report from @hrw.org and @cristosal.bsky.social covers experiences of Venezuelan nationals sent by the Trump administration to El Salvador's CECOT prison.
"The prison director told us, 'You have arrived in hell.'"
"The prison director told us, 'You have arrived in hell.'"
"The real question is not just, 'Does this solve crime?' It’s, 'What kind of infrastructure are we building for the future, and who ultimately controls that data?' The long-term civil liberties risked are far greater than the advertised short-term benefits."
www.heraldnet.com/opinion/edit...
www.heraldnet.com/opinion/edit...
Editorial: Law enforcement tool needs review, better controls | HeraldNet.com
Data from some Flock cameras, in use by police agencies, were gained by federal immigration agencies.
www.heraldnet.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"The real question is not just, 'Does this solve crime?' It’s, 'What kind of infrastructure are we building for the future, and who ultimately controls that data?' The long-term civil liberties risked are far greater than the advertised short-term benefits."
www.heraldnet.com/opinion/edit...
www.heraldnet.com/opinion/edit...
"I have a detainee here who has been assaulted and would like to file a police report."
"Do you want officers to respond to do the report?"
"I just need a case number."
What happens when someone tries to report an assault from inside the NWDC?
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
"Do you want officers to respond to do the report?"
"I just need a case number."
What happens when someone tries to report an assault from inside the NWDC?
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
October 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"I have a detainee here who has been assaulted and would like to file a police report."
"Do you want officers to respond to do the report?"
"I just need a case number."
What happens when someone tries to report an assault from inside the NWDC?
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
"Do you want officers to respond to do the report?"
"I just need a case number."
What happens when someone tries to report an assault from inside the NWDC?
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
10 years ago we filed our first FOIA lawsuit, suing the CIA seeking release of docs related to El Salvador's 1981 Santa Cruz massacre.
Today, we continue using public records laws to investigate local and int'l human rights issues, in partnership with those working for justice and accountability.
Today, we continue using public records laws to investigate local and int'l human rights issues, in partnership with those working for justice and accountability.
October 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
10 years ago we filed our first FOIA lawsuit, suing the CIA seeking release of docs related to El Salvador's 1981 Santa Cruz massacre.
Today, we continue using public records laws to investigate local and int'l human rights issues, in partnership with those working for justice and accountability.
Today, we continue using public records laws to investigate local and int'l human rights issues, in partnership with those working for justice and accountability.
Similar to Washington state, Connecticut invests public retirement money into Signature Aviation, a fixed-based operator which services ICE Air, profiting from deportations. Local CT groups are asking the state to divest.
www.wshu.org/connecticut-...
www.wshu.org/connecticut-...
CT treasurer’s office schedules meeting to discuss portfolio firm’s connection with ICE flights
The Connecticut Treasurer’s office is scheduled to meet this week with one of its investment funds, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), to discuss its involvement in deportation flights run by feder...
www.wshu.org
October 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Similar to Washington state, Connecticut invests public retirement money into Signature Aviation, a fixed-based operator which services ICE Air, profiting from deportations. Local CT groups are asking the state to divest.
www.wshu.org/connecticut-...
www.wshu.org/connecticut-...
“We didn’t know” is not a sufficient explanation for WA law enforcement agencies allowing Border Patrol access to surveillance networks.
What happens to Washington state data generated by Flock surveillance systems?
Learn more in our latest report:
www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
What happens to Washington state data generated by Flock surveillance systems?
Learn more in our latest report:
www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
October 24, 2025 at 9:14 PM
“We didn’t know” is not a sufficient explanation for WA law enforcement agencies allowing Border Patrol access to surveillance networks.
What happens to Washington state data generated by Flock surveillance systems?
Learn more in our latest report:
www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
What happens to Washington state data generated by Flock surveillance systems?
Learn more in our latest report:
www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
Washington state's use of technology should not be a threat to accessing essential health care, as Alizeh Bhojani of @legalvoice.org says.
However, our latest report highlights the danger of WA's use of Flock surveillance systems.
Learn more:
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
However, our latest report highlights the danger of WA's use of Flock surveillance systems.
Learn more:
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
October 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Washington state's use of technology should not be a threat to accessing essential health care, as Alizeh Bhojani of @legalvoice.org says.
However, our latest report highlights the danger of WA's use of Flock surveillance systems.
Learn more:
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
However, our latest report highlights the danger of WA's use of Flock surveillance systems.
Learn more:
jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/...
"Huge amounts of information about the movements of WA state residents that advocates fear could be used for civil immigration enforcement, for things like criminalization of access to reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care in WA state." -Phil Neff, UWCHR
komonews.com/news/local/v...
komonews.com/news/local/v...
UW report finds police unknowingly shared license plate data with Border Patrol
New research from the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights has revealed that the U.S. Border Patrol may have accessed data from automated license
komonews.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"Huge amounts of information about the movements of WA state residents that advocates fear could be used for civil immigration enforcement, for things like criminalization of access to reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care in WA state." -Phil Neff, UWCHR
komonews.com/news/local/v...
komonews.com/news/local/v...
“[Flock] maps people’s movements, their behaviors. It creates real risk around overreach and misuse of the surveillance technology to target people. The report that came out today shows this has not been a hypothetical concern.” -Tee Sannon, @acluwa.bsky.social
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Feds searched security systems at 18 WA police agencies, report finds
Police in Renton, Auburn and Lakewood said they weren’t aware the federal agency accessed their databases until they were notified last week by UW researchers.
www.seattletimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
“[Flock] maps people’s movements, their behaviors. It creates real risk around overreach and misuse of the surveillance technology to target people. The report that came out today shows this has not been a hypothetical concern.” -Tee Sannon, @acluwa.bsky.social
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
New report! “Leaving the Door Wide Open" finds Flock Safety automated license plate reader technology threatens Washingtonians’ rights to privacy, protections for immigrants, and access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.
Read the report: www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
Read the report: www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
October 21, 2025 at 9:51 PM
New report! “Leaving the Door Wide Open" finds Flock Safety automated license plate reader technology threatens Washingtonians’ rights to privacy, protections for immigrants, and access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.
Read the report: www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
Read the report: www.tinyurl.com/WAflock
UWCHR analysis of Deportation Data Project datasets cited in yesterday's @opb.org coverage of Portland's ICE building.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Portland’s ICE building closed for 22 days this summer, but immigration arrests and detentions hardly slowed
Justice Department attorneys argue the facility was “inoperable.” Some public functions were halted. Bookings were not.
www.opb.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
UWCHR analysis of Deportation Data Project datasets cited in yesterday's @opb.org coverage of Portland's ICE building.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
UW students!
Don't miss this opportunity to work with the great folks at the @uwbridgescenter.bsky.social
Don't miss this opportunity to work with the great folks at the @uwbridgescenter.bsky.social
The Bridges Center is currently seeking Student Engagement Specialists - apply now! labor.washington.edu/news/2025-09...
September 26, 2025 at 8:02 PM
UW students!
Don't miss this opportunity to work with the great folks at the @uwbridgescenter.bsky.social
Don't miss this opportunity to work with the great folks at the @uwbridgescenter.bsky.social
The current contract between ICE and GEO Group for the operation of the Northwest ICE Processing Center is set to end tomorrow, September 27th.
But what's next is unknown.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
But what's next is unknown.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
'Lack of transparency' shrouds Tacoma ICE detention center's future
Immigration advocates and legal experts have heavily criticized the lack of transparency over the expected renewal of the contract between ICE and GEO Group.
www.seattletimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The current contract between ICE and GEO Group for the operation of the Northwest ICE Processing Center is set to end tomorrow, September 27th.
But what's next is unknown.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
But what's next is unknown.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Today's @nytimes.com article reports on the horrible conditions inside immigration detention centers that exacerbate mental health crises, citing UWCHR research.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
‘People Are Losing Hope’ Inside ICE Detention Centers
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Today's @nytimes.com article reports on the horrible conditions inside immigration detention centers that exacerbate mental health crises, citing UWCHR research.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
Reposted by University of Washington Center for Human Rights
NEW: The @uwchr.bsky.social found that ICE and CBP are disappearing Washington residents. What does this mean? Read online at Gossip Guy, or find it in print @realchangenews.bsky.social later this week:
gossipguy.net/ice-and-cbp-...
gossipguy.net/ice-and-cbp-...
ICE and CBP are disappearing Washingtonians. What does that mean?
A human rights watchdog alleges the federal agencies have grossly violated international law
A new report from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights (UWCHR) has reached a startling con...
gossipguy.net
September 8, 2025 at 11:47 PM
NEW: The @uwchr.bsky.social found that ICE and CBP are disappearing Washington residents. What does this mean? Read online at Gossip Guy, or find it in print @realchangenews.bsky.social later this week:
gossipguy.net/ice-and-cbp-...
gossipguy.net/ice-and-cbp-...
“In WA, our most famous philanthropist grows his investments in part by supporting a company complicit in gross human rights abuses, potentially ascending to the level of crimes against humanity."
@huffpost.com explores links between Bill Gates & mass deportation:
www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-g...
@huffpost.com explores links between Bill Gates & mass deportation:
www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-g...
Donald Trump's Mass Deportation Agenda Has A Surprising Stakeholder: Bill Gates
One of the billionaire's investments has become a linchpin in the day-to-day machinery of Trump’s immigration enforcement apparatus.
www.huffpost.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
“In WA, our most famous philanthropist grows his investments in part by supporting a company complicit in gross human rights abuses, potentially ascending to the level of crimes against humanity."
@huffpost.com explores links between Bill Gates & mass deportation:
www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-g...
@huffpost.com explores links between Bill Gates & mass deportation:
www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-g...
Latest visual investigation by @financialtimes.com cites UWCHR analysis of ICE data sets obtained by the Deportation Data Project at the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Years of lobbying, campaign contributions and White House ties are positioning some companies to make billions of dollars by flying immigrant detainees out of the US. Here's a look behind the booming business. on.ft.com/4mVHxTL
August 28, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Latest visual investigation by @financialtimes.com cites UWCHR analysis of ICE data sets obtained by the Deportation Data Project at the UC Berkeley School of Law.
New reporting exposes the latest collaboration between WA Dept. of Licensing and ICE—a collaboration that is prohibited by the Keep Washington Working Act.
"Clearly relying on agencies to 'audit themselves' is not enough." - UWCHR Director Angelina Godoy
www.king5.com/article/news...
"Clearly relying on agencies to 'audit themselves' is not enough." - UWCHR Director Angelina Godoy
www.king5.com/article/news...
‘This should have been prevented’: Leaders respond to state slashing ICE database access after KING 5 investigation
The state slashed ICE access to private driver's license and car registration information after KING 5 revealed they used it to arrest undocumented residents.
www.king5.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:51 PM
New reporting exposes the latest collaboration between WA Dept. of Licensing and ICE—a collaboration that is prohibited by the Keep Washington Working Act.
"Clearly relying on agencies to 'audit themselves' is not enough." - UWCHR Director Angelina Godoy
www.king5.com/article/news...
"Clearly relying on agencies to 'audit themselves' is not enough." - UWCHR Director Angelina Godoy
www.king5.com/article/news...
Enforced disappearance and refoulement of Washingtonians is happening, right here, in our backyard, as @laresistencianw.bsky.social organizer Josefina Mora-Cheung says.
August 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Enforced disappearance and refoulement of Washingtonians is happening, right here, in our backyard, as @laresistencianw.bsky.social organizer Josefina Mora-Cheung says.
Reposted by University of Washington Center for Human Rights
VIDEO: @uwchr.bsky.social and @laresistencianw.bsky.social on the 16 enforced disappearances by ICE & CBP in Washington State since Trump took office. These include deportations to CECOT in El Salvador, South Sudan, transfers to Guantánamo Bay and families being held for weeks without legal counsel.
August 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
VIDEO: @uwchr.bsky.social and @laresistencianw.bsky.social on the 16 enforced disappearances by ICE & CBP in Washington State since Trump took office. These include deportations to CECOT in El Salvador, South Sudan, transfers to Guantánamo Bay and families being held for weeks without legal counsel.
📢NEW REPORT!📢
What are the connections between WA state and gross human rights violations against migrants by ICE and CBP?
➡️ tinyurl.com/WAdisappeara...
What are the connections between WA state and gross human rights violations against migrants by ICE and CBP?
➡️ tinyurl.com/WAdisappeara...
August 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
📢NEW REPORT!📢
What are the connections between WA state and gross human rights violations against migrants by ICE and CBP?
➡️ tinyurl.com/WAdisappeara...
What are the connections between WA state and gross human rights violations against migrants by ICE and CBP?
➡️ tinyurl.com/WAdisappeara...
Today's @seattletimes.com article provides a snapshot of what immigration arrest trends are looking like in WA state, citing UWCHR analysis of national data.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
New WA data reveals a 'striking' pattern in ICE arrests
Until now, it's been hard to quantify ramped up ICE arrests and detention IN Washington. Recently released government data offers concrete numbers.
www.seattletimes.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Today's @seattletimes.com article provides a snapshot of what immigration arrest trends are looking like in WA state, citing UWCHR analysis of national data.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
"These are the kinds of stories that should sound alarm bells in the heads of all people concerned about human rights in this state," said Angelina Godoy, director of the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights.
www.king5.com/article/news...
www.king5.com/article/news...
Seven suspected tuberculosis cases at Tacoma ICE processing facility
The KING 5 Investigators discovered seven suspected cases of TB at the Northwest ICE Processing Center, confirmed by the Washington State Department of Health.
www.king5.com
August 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"These are the kinds of stories that should sound alarm bells in the heads of all people concerned about human rights in this state," said Angelina Godoy, director of the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights.
www.king5.com/article/news...
www.king5.com/article/news...