Thirteen people died in US immigration custody this year, ICE says - Reuters
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says 13 people have died in U.S. immigration custody so far this year.
- The deaths raise renewed scrutiny of medical care, detention conditions and oversight in ICE facilities.
- Detainees affected include people held while awaiting removal, asylum processing or immigration hearings; families and attorneys are seeking information and accountability.
- The developments could prompt further investigations and fuel policy debates over detention practices and alternatives.
The report
It has been reported that ICE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that detains many noncitizens pending removal or court hearings — recorded 13 deaths in custody this year. ICE typically releases counts of in‑custody deaths and conducts internal reviews; those figures often prompt requests from lawmakers and advocates for more detail about causes, timelines and medical treatment. Reuters reported the total; ICE statements and agency records are the primary source for the figure.
Oversight and reaction
Deaths in detention historically trigger calls for independent investigations from watchdogs, immigrant‑rights groups and some members of Congress. Advocates have long said inadequate medical screening, delayed treatment, and crowded or understaffed facilities can exacerbate health risks; ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) say they investigate deaths and review procedures. Allegedly, families of those who die in custody sometimes report delays in notification and difficulty obtaining complete records, which adds to demands for transparency.
What this means for people in the immigration system
For someone going through the immigration process, the news underscores the stakes of detention. People who are detained — including asylum seekers, people with removal orders awaiting transport, and others — should know they can request medical care and raise concerns through legal counsel or their consulate when applicable. Families and attorneys should expect heightened scrutiny of deaths and may seek internal ICE reports, DHS inspector general inquiries, or congressional briefings. More broadly, the reported deaths are likely to influence ongoing policy debates about detention capacity, medical standards, and the use of alternatives to detention.
Source: Original Article