LOCAL
Deportation ‘would be a death sentence’
Filipino community member facing imminent deportation despite serious health conditions developed while in ICE detention
TACOMA, WA (December 4, 2025) — Greggy “Kuya G” Sorio’s health continues to deteriorate after months in detention at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) as a consequence of rampant medical neglect, reports local advocacy groups. A legal permanent U.S. resident for nearly 20 years, Sorio and community groups like BAYAN WA, Malaya Seattle & Tacoma, and Tanggol Migrante Movement have been publicly advocating for desperately needed medical care and shining a light on a pattern of mistreatment within NWDC. On Dec. 2, immigration authorities tried to get Sorio to sign paperwork for removal and threatened Kuya G with immediate deportation, per a statement from advocacy groups.
Community groups rallied outside the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma on Wednesday, fighting against what advocates believe would be a fatal deportation. Sorio is fighting serious health conditions that have already resulted in amputation of a toe and ulcerative colitis, which doctors warn could turn into colon cancer without treatment. Per advocates, Sorio is experiencing worsening internal bleeding, breathing issues, a continuation of the bone infection that led to amputation, and is using a wheelchair.
“His doctors say that without proper treatment, his ulcerative colitis could develop into colon cancer. His thumb is experiencing the same symptoms when he had to have his toe amputated,” said Claudia of Malaya Tacoma at the rally. “This is outright medical abuse by ICE. They are actively killing Kuya G in front of our eyes.”
“To send Kuya G home now would be a death sentence,” said Noah of BAYAN WA. “The Philippines lacks sufficient health care and medicines he needs to recover, and the widespread government corruption prevents services from reaching the majority of Filipino people.”
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Sorio’s case has received significant public attention; when he was finally sent to St. Joseph’s Medical Center for desperately needed treatment, one of the individuals guarding him left their loaded firearm in a public restroom in the hospital for at least six hours, endangering patients and staff. Healthcare workers at St. Joseph’s and their unions have been outraged by the disregard for safety and patient care demonstrated by the private immigration prison staff and their ICE counterparts, speaking out in the media and joining community groups to advocate for Kuya G’s release and access to medical treatment.
Advocates are calling on the Philippine consulate to intervene and prevent deportation while Kuya G receives treatment. They’re also urging the Washington Attorney General and Department of Health to open an investigation into medical conditions at NWDC.
Tanggol Migrante Movement is urging supporters to sign their petition to the Philippine consulate and Washington state officials calling on them to advocate for Kuya G and ensure the basic human rights of those detained at NWDC are protected
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