So far in 2026, 14 individuals have died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, including a Mexican man found unresponsive at a facility near Los Angeles. As of mid-February, ICE was detaining over 68,000 immigrants, one of the highest totals on record. In 2025, there were 33 reported deaths in custody, while the previous year saw 11. The facilities have faced challenges, including overcrowding and disease outbreaks, especially as the Trump administration has expanded detention capacity as part of its immigration enforcement strategy. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security switched contractors at the Fort Bliss facility in Texas after numerous issues, including three detainee deaths shortly after its opening. The latest fatality, Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano, was arrested by ICE on February 23, diagnosed with multiple health issues, and was pronounced dead after CPR attempts failed.
Why It Matters
The frequency of deaths in ICE custody raises significant concerns about the conditions within immigrant detention facilities and the treatment of detainees. Historical data indicates a troubling trend in the number of deaths, which increased notably during the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies. The shift in focus toward detaining individuals with criminal records, coupled with reported health care inadequacies, highlights systemic issues within the immigration enforcement framework. The ongoing scrutiny from both domestic and international entities, including the Mexican government, underscores the need for accountability and reform in how the U.S. handles immigration detention.
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