Fact Check: "ICE claims all detainees receive emergent care, despite deaths in custody."
What We Know
The claim that "ICE claims all detainees receive emergent care, despite deaths in custody" suggests a discrepancy between the assurances provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the health care of detainees and the reality of deaths occurring within their custody. According to a study that analyzed deaths in ICE detention from FY2021 to FY2023, there were 12 reported deaths during this period, a decrease from 38 deaths reported from FY2018 to FY2020. The study noted that the death rate per 100,000 admissions was significantly lower in the more recent years, with a rate of 3.251 in FY2021, 0.939 in FY2022, and 1.457 in FY2023, compared to a pandemic-era high of 10.833 in FY2020 (source-1).
ICE is mandated to report all in-custody deaths and has established protocols to ensure that detainees receive necessary medical care, including emergency services (source-2). However, the study also highlighted that some individuals died shortly after being released from custody, indicating that the reported deaths may not fully capture the mortality associated with ICE detention (source-1).
Analysis
The assertion that ICE claims all detainees receive emergent care is supported by their public statements and policies, which emphasize the provision of health care services to detainees, including emergency care (source-3). However, the reality of deaths in custody raises questions about the effectiveness of these claims. The study indicates that while the overall death rate has decreased, the presence of deaths, particularly those occurring shortly after release, suggests that not all medical needs may be adequately addressed while individuals are in custody.
Moreover, the study's findings that 36.3% of medical deaths were due to cardiac arrest and that some individuals were released with grave prognoses point to potential gaps in care (source-1). This discrepancy between ICE's claims and the observed outcomes raises concerns about the quality of care provided and whether all detainees truly receive the emergent care they require.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the primary study being published in a peer-reviewed journal, which adds to its reliability. However, ICE's own reports and statements may carry institutional bias, as they are designed to present the agency in a positive light.
Conclusion
The claim that "ICE claims all detainees receive emergent care, despite deaths in custody" is Partially True. While ICE does assert that all detainees receive necessary medical care, the occurrence of deaths in custody, particularly those shortly after release, indicates that there may be significant gaps in the provision of emergent care. The data suggests a decrease in the overall death rate, but the existence of reported deaths and the circumstances surrounding them challenge the completeness of ICE's claims regarding health care for detainees.
Sources
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention: A Fiscal Year (FY) 2021–2023 update. Link
- Detainee Death Reporting. Link
- Terminal Illness, Advance Directives and Death. Link
- Canadian national in ICE custody passes away. Link
- Sea level rise is a global threat – here’s why | World Economic Forum. Link
- Arctic Ocean could become ice-free by 2030. Why it matters? Link
- Deaths at Adult Detention Centers. Link
- Sea ice is melting. Why business leaders must pay attention. Link
