The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) inspector general has announced two new reviews focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid rising concerns over detainee deaths. One review will investigate the increasing number of deaths in ICE detention facilities, while the other will assess compliance with use of force standards by ICE personnel. This decision follows a troubling trend, with 20 deaths reported in ICE custody in 2026 alone, surpassing the total of 33 deaths recorded in 2025. Notably, the death of a detainee at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, earlier this year, ruled a homicide and currently under FBI investigation, has intensified scrutiny on ICE operations.
During a recent House Appropriations Committee hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was confronted by Rep. Lauren Underwood regarding the “historically high death rate” among detainees. Mullin dismissed these claims, arguing that death rates in state penitentiaries are higher than those in ICE facilities. However, the DHS Inspector General's announcement indicates a serious concern over systemic issues contributing to detainee fatalities, with an examination period set from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026.
The reviews come at a time when ICE has altered its policy regarding the public disclosure of detainee deaths, raising further questions about transparency and accountability in the agency. Advocates for migrant rights have long criticized ICE for its treatment of detainees, citing inhumane conditions and inadequate medical care as contributing factors to the rising death toll.
This heightened scrutiny of ICE's practices is likely to reignite debates over immigration policy and the treatment of detainees, particularly as the agency faces increasing pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups alike. As the investigations unfold, the implications for ICE's operational practices and broader immigration policy remain to be seen.