Fact Check: "Deaths in ICE custody have been a concern under multiple U.S. administrations."
What We Know
The claim that deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody have been a concern under multiple U.S. administrations is supported by various studies and reports. A recent study covering deaths in ICE detention from fiscal years 2021 to 2023 reported a total of 12 deaths, which is a decrease from 38 deaths recorded between fiscal years 2018 and 2020. The death rate per 100,000 admissions was notably high during the pandemic, peaking at 10.833 in FY2020, and has since decreased to 3.251 in FY2021, 0.939 in FY2022, and 1.457 in FY2023 (PubMed).
The study highlighted that the causes of death varied, with COVID-19 being a contributing factor in 25% of medical deaths during the recent reporting period, compared to 72.7% during the peak pandemic months (PubMed). Furthermore, it was noted that the reported deaths may underestimate the actual mortality associated with ICE detention, as some individuals who died shortly after release were not included in the official counts (PubMed).
Analysis
The evidence indicates a persistent concern regarding deaths in ICE custody across different administrations. The data shows fluctuations in death rates, with significant peaks during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected many detention facilities due to inadequate health measures (PubMed). The decrease in reported deaths in recent years may be attributed to legal rulings that mandated the release of vulnerable individuals, suggesting systemic issues in the management of detainee health (PubMed).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including peer-reviewed studies and official reports from ICE. The study published in AIMS Public Health provides a comprehensive overview of mortality in ICE facilities, utilizing data mandated by the 2018 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which requires public reporting of in-custody deaths (PubMed). However, it is important to note that while the study is thorough, it may have limitations in capturing all deaths due to reporting practices and the potential underreporting of deaths occurring shortly after release (PubMed).
Other sources, such as reports from the American Immigration Council and news articles, corroborate the ongoing concerns regarding health and safety in ICE detention facilities, emphasizing issues like medical neglect and inadequate responses to health crises (American Immigration Council, NPR). These sources provide additional context and highlight the systemic nature of the problem, reinforcing the claim's validity.
Conclusion
The claim that deaths in ICE custody have been a concern under multiple U.S. administrations is True. The evidence presented shows a historical pattern of mortality issues in ICE detention facilities, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and influenced by administrative policies. The ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding ICE's treatment of detainees further underscore the persistent nature of this issue.
Sources
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention ... - PubMed. Link
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ... - PMC. Link
- Detainee Death Reporting - ICE. Link
- ICE releases investigation into immigrant's death after ... - NPR. Link
- A Closer Look at Deaths in ICE Detention Facilities - American Immigration Council. Link
- Deaths at Adult Detention Centers - AILA. Link
- Two more ICE deaths put US on track for one of deadliest ... - The Guardian. Link
