ICE confirms 11 immigrant deaths in its custody so far in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- ICE says at least 11 people have died in its custody from January through early March 2026; 2025 saw 31 deaths, the highest annual total in two decades.
- Deaths occurred in detention centers and hospitals after reported medical complications; several cases remain under investigation.
- Recent cases involve nationals of Haiti, Iran, Mexico, Guatemala, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Cuba.
- ICE maintains detainees receive comprehensive medical care; advocates are pressing for stronger oversight and more transparency.
- For those detained, access to timely medical care, complaint channels, and possible release options (bond, parole, or alternatives to detention) remain key considerations.
Rising toll inside immigration detention
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed at least 11 deaths of immigrants in its custody so far in 2026, according to official agency information reported by La Opinión, citing Reuters compilations. The deaths have occurred across multiple detention centers and in hospitals where detainees were transferred after developing medical complications. This follows 31 deaths in 2025—the highest annual custodial death count in roughly 20 years—intensifying scrutiny of the civil immigration detention system.
Individual cases underscore medical questions
Among the most recent cases, Emanuel Cleeford Damas, a Haitian national, died on March 2 at an Arizona hospital after being detained and moved to the Florence detention facility. ICE said he experienced breathing difficulties, was taken to a local hospital, and then to a Phoenix medical center, where he remained in intensive care before his death. A family member allegedly claimed his death was linked to an untreated dental infection; ICE did not include that condition in its official account. In Mississippi, 59-year-old Iranian national Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi died on March 1 after transfer from a Louisiana facility for specialized care; ICE said he had multiple chronic conditions and suffered cardiac arrest while receiving treatment. In California, Mexican national Alberto Gutiérrez Reyes, 48, died on February 27 after hospitalization for chest pain and breathing difficulty, with Los Angeles authorities coordinating with his family as circumstances are reviewed. Officials also reported deaths of detainees from Guatemala, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Cuba, with several cases still under investigation.
Oversight, standards, and policy debate
ICE stated that detainees receive comprehensive medical care. Medical services in ICE custody are provided by a mix of the ICE Health Service Corps and contracted providers under detention standards (known as PBNDS) that set baseline requirements for care and safety. Custodial deaths typically trigger internal reviews and may involve oversight by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and the Inspector General (OIG). Immigrant rights groups are urging deeper reviews of facility conditions, stronger medical protocols, and greater transparency in death investigations as lawmakers debate the scope and necessity of immigration detention.
What this means for detainees and families now
For people currently in ICE custody, timely access to medical evaluation and treatment is critical; detainees and counsel can escalate urgent care requests through facility medical units, ICE Health Service Corps, and complaint channels such as DHS CRCL or the OIG. Families should share medical histories and needed medications with counsel and the facility. Where appropriate, attorneys may seek release via bond or custody redetermination before an immigration judge (for those not subject to mandatory detention), humanitarian parole, or placement in alternatives to detention programs. While investigations into recent deaths continue, there have been no immediate rule changes announced; individuals should monitor case status closely and consult qualified legal counsel about safety and release options.
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