Fact Check: "A US citizen detained by ICE can be held at an undisclosed facility"
What We Know
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been known to detain individuals, including U.S. citizens, under various immigration enforcement policies. As of June 2025, ICE is detaining approximately 59,000 people, a significant increase attributed to aggressive interior enforcement and the expansion of expedited removal policies (American Citizens Say They Were Detained by ICE, Feeling Unsafe). This policy allows ICE to quickly deport individuals who cannot prove they have been in the U.S. for more than two years, which includes U.S. citizens who may not have immediate documentation (American Citizens Say They Were Detained by ICE, Feeling Unsafe).
The detention facilities used by ICE are often criticized for their lack of transparency. While ICE is required to follow certain standards for detention conditions, the specific locations of many facilities can be undisclosed, leading to concerns about the treatment of detainees (Detention Management - ICE). Furthermore, there have been documented cases of U.S. citizens being wrongfully detained, raising significant legal and civil rights concerns (Deportation in the second presidency of Donald Trump).
Analysis
The claim that a U.S. citizen detained by ICE can be held at an undisclosed facility is partially true. While ICE does have the authority to detain U.S. citizens, the circumstances under which this occurs are complex. The expansion of expedited removal policies has raised the risk of wrongful detentions, including U.S. citizens who may not have immediate proof of their citizenship (American Citizens Say They Were Detained by ICE, Feeling Unsafe).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is mixed. The information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding detention standards is official and credible (Detention Management - ICE). However, reports from advocacy groups and news articles may carry inherent biases, particularly those focused on the negative aspects of ICE's operations (Deportation in the second presidency of Donald Trump, American Citizens Say They Were Detained by ICE, Feeling Unsafe).
Moreover, the claim is supported by reports of increased detentions and the use of undisclosed facilities, which have been criticized for their conditions and lack of oversight (New Trump ICE policy will keep immigration detainees locked..., Policy Brief | Snapshot of ICE Detention: Inhumane Conditions...).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that a U.S. citizen detained by ICE can be held at an undisclosed facility is Partially True. While it is accurate that U.S. citizens can be detained and potentially held in undisclosed facilities, the context of these detentions—particularly the expansion of expedited removal and the potential for wrongful detentions—adds complexity to the claim. The lack of transparency surrounding detention facilities further complicates the issue, raising concerns about civil rights and due process.
Sources
- Detention Management - ICE
- Deportation in the second presidency of Donald Trump
- American Citizens Say They Were Detained by ICE, Feeling Unsafe
- New Trump ICE policy will keep immigration detainees locked...
- Trump administration zeroes in on naturalized US citizens...
- Policy Brief | Snapshot of ICE Detention: Inhumane Conditions...
- What to Do If You’re a U.S. Citizen and Detained by ICE