Fact Check: ICE reported 12 deaths in custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025.

Fact Check: "ICE reported 12 deaths in custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025."

What We Know

The claim that "ICE reported 12 deaths in custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025" is misleading. As of late June 2025, reports indicate that the number of deaths in ICE custody has reached 13. This includes the recent deaths of a 75-year-old Cuban man and a 49-year-old Canadian man, both of whom died while in ICE detention facilities (The Guardian, MSNBC). The fiscal year 2025 began in October 2024, and the increase in reported deaths has raised concerns about the conditions within these facilities, which advocates argue are deteriorating (The Guardian).

Analysis

The assertion that there have been 12 deaths in ICE custody is based on earlier reports, but the most current data shows that the total has risen to 13 (The Guardian). This discrepancy highlights the importance of relying on the latest information when discussing sensitive topics such as detainee deaths.

The sources reporting on this issue include ICE's own announcements and news articles from reputable outlets like CBS News and The Guardian. However, the credibility of the claim is further complicated by the context in which these deaths occur. Advocates for immigrant rights have criticized ICE for the conditions in detention centers, suggesting that systemic issues contribute to the rising death toll (The Guardian, MSNBC).

Moreover, the claim's origin appears to stem from earlier statistics that did not account for the most recent fatalities. For instance, reports noted that 12 deaths were recorded up until a certain point in the fiscal year, but subsequent deaths have since raised that number (MSNBC). This indicates that the claim may have been accurate at a specific time but is no longer valid as of the latest updates.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that "ICE reported 12 deaths in custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025" is inaccurate. The current total of deaths in ICE custody stands at 13, which contradicts the assertion made in the claim. The evolving nature of the data regarding detainee deaths underscores the necessity for accurate and timely reporting, especially on matters involving human rights and safety in detention facilities.

Fact Check: ICE reported 12 deaths in custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025.