Last year, the death toll in federal immigration detention reached a two-decade high: 32 people died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in 2025, according to The Guardian’s recent analysis.
These individuals weren’t only new arrivals seeking asylum. Some had lived in the U.S. for years—even since childhood. While a number were detained after criminal charges or jail sentences, others were swept up in broad ICE raids.
Causes ranged from medical conditions like seizures, heart failure, stroke, respiratory failure and tuberculosis, to suicide. Families and attorneys have alleged that neglect and repeated denials of care played a role in these tragic outcomes. 😢
Local media reports also note that a number of deaths occurred in the first days of 2026, signaling a worrying trend continuing into this year.
This spike in fatalities comes amid a push by the Trump administration to ramp up immigration enforcement, resulting in record detention numbers. ICE data shows over 68,000 adults were held in detention at the end of December 2025—nearly double the roughly 36,000 held in December 2023.
As the debate over immigration policy heats up, advocates are calling for improved medical oversight, transparency and urgent reforms to protect detainees’ rights and lives. For young news enthusiasts, students, professionals and diaspora communities, these developments underscore the human impact behind the numbers and the importance of staying informed. 🌍✊
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
