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Colombian activist detained 650 days with medical neglect, finally freed by court order

Sep 11, 2026·Location: Tacoma, WA

Country of origin: Canada

Colombian activist detained 650 days with medical neglect, finally freed by court order
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Julian David Palacios Obregon, a 27-year-old Colombian human rights activist and lawful permanent resident with ties to Canada, spent about 650 days in ICE detention at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. During his detention he suffered from a severe gastrointestinal bacterial infection causing vomiting, diarrhea and fecal incontinence that required him to wear diapers, saying he had no health problems before entering custody. Staff errors caused him to miss three scheduled colonoscopy appointments recommended by a gastroenterologist, forcing him to choose between receiving medical treatment and attending his asylum hearing. Representing himself, he filed two federal habeas corpus petitions and five humanitarian requests with ICE; a federal court had previously found his removal to Canada reasonably foreseeable but ordered he be given a chance to have his fear of removal reviewed by an immigration judge, while denying earlier requests for expedited release or bond. On September 11, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered his release, finding that the deficient medical care had made his detention 'punitive' in violation of due process.

Timeline

Sep 11, 2026—Federal court ordered his release after roughly 650 days in detention, finding his care made detention punitive
Aug 26, 2026—Filed second habeas corpus petition challenging prolonged detention; court denied expedited release or bond but ordered explanation of medical delays
May 12, 2026—Scheduled colonoscopy did not take place as planned due to facility errors
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