Rising death toll in ICE custody sparks concerns over medical care
Fifty people have died in U.S. immigration detention centres since President Donald Trump launched an intensified deportation campaign in January 2025, according to records from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising concerns about healthcare and oversight within detention facilities.
Among the deaths were a Vietnamese detainee with pre-existing heart conditions who collapsed at the Indiana detention facility known as the “Speedway Slammer,” a Chinese immigrant who was found dead after an apparent suicide in a Pennsylvania detention centre, and a Honduran man suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms who died in custody at a New York facility.
An analysis of ICE data found that the rate of deaths in immigration detention has more than doubled compared with previous years. Between 2009 and 2024, there was approximately one death for every 3,848 detainees. Since Trump returned to office, the figure has risen to about one death for every 1,630 detainees, based on preliminary data through early June.
Experts who reviewed detention records and autopsy reports said the increase has raised questions about the quality of medical care and supervision in facilities that have experienced sharp increases in detainee populations. ICE detention numbers rose from around 40,000 when Trump took office to nearly 70,000 at their peak before falling to about 57,000 by early June.
Records show that 21 of the 50 detainees were found unresponsive or already deceased, including 10 cases ruled as suicides. Medical experts noted that such incidents may point to gaps in mental health monitoring, emergency response, and overall detainee welfare.
Cardiovascular-related conditions accounted for 16 of the deaths, prompting concerns about health screenings and the management of chronic illnesses. Some specialists argued that detention facilities are not adequately equipped to care for medically vulnerable individuals.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended its detention practices, stating that comprehensive healthcare is provided throughout a detainee’s stay and that the agency remains committed to maintaining safe, secure, and humane conditions.
Several cases highlighted in the records have drawn scrutiny. In one instance, detainees claimed it took approximately 15 minutes for staff to respond after a Vietnamese detainee collapsed. In another, a Chinese immigrant with a documented history of suicide attempts was reportedly placed in the general population despite previous mental health concerns.
Families of some detainees have continued to seek answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while critics have questioned whether expanded detention policies and increased enforcement efforts have strained the system’s ability to provide adequate care.
The findings have intensified debate over immigration detention practices in the United States, with advocates calling for greater transparency, stronger medical oversight, and alternatives to detention for individuals with serious health conditions.
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