🚨 A troubling trend is emerging in the U.S. migrant detention system: deaths in ICE custody have spiked since President Trump began his second term.
Since the fatal shooting of protester Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, ICE's more aggressive tactics have put the agency under the spotlight. In the first 10 days of 2026, at least four migrants have died in detention, with three cases announced on January 9 to 10 alone.
Last year saw at least 30 deaths in ICE custody, the highest in two decades, agency data shows. As of January 7, ICE was holding 69,000 people, a number expected to climb after Congress approved a major funding boost for the agency.
Advocates warn that this fast expansion has led to overcrowded centers, limited medical care and preventable fatalities. Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network, says the numbers are truly staggering and urges the closure of detention facilities.
External analyses point out that stricter policies and fewer humanitarian releases mean more vulnerable individuals—those with chronic conditions or substance dependency—are kept in custody instead of receiving community-based care.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security argues that death rates are in line with historical patterns when factoring in the larger population and that detainees receive thorough medical support. But critics, including the ACLU, say up to 95 percent of these deaths could have been prevented with proper treatment, highlighting delays and errors in care.
As stories of suffering mount, calls for reform are louder than ever. Will the surge in fatalities prompt meaningful changes in how migrants are detained and treated? 🕊️
Reference(s):
More migrants die in ICE detention under Trump administration
cgtn.com
