Fact Check: "The total number of reported deaths in ICE detention can be tracked annually."
What We Know
The claim that the total number of reported deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention can be tracked annually is supported by multiple sources. According to a study published in PubMed, there were 12 reported deaths in ICE detention from fiscal years 2021 to 2023, which is a significant decrease from 38 deaths reported from fiscal years 2018 to 2020. The study highlights that these figures are derived from official death reports published by ICE, indicating that the data is systematically collected and made available for public scrutiny.
Additionally, ICE maintains a Detainee Death Reporting page that provides statistics on deaths in custody, confirming that such data is tracked and reported annually. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) also conducted an evaluation of deaths in custody for fiscal year 2021, further substantiating the claim that these deaths are documented and can be tracked over time (OIG Report).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as it comes from credible sources that include peer-reviewed studies and official government reports. The study published in PubMed is particularly noteworthy because it not only provides specific numbers but also contextualizes them within broader trends, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality rates in detention facilities. The decrease in the death rate from 10.833 per 100,000 admissions in FY2020 to 1.457 in FY2023 suggests that monitoring and reporting practices may have improved, or that conditions in detention have changed (source-1).
The ICE Detainee Death Reporting page also indicates that the agency is committed to transparency regarding mortality in its facilities, which adds to the reliability of the data being tracked (source-2). Furthermore, the OIG report corroborates that there is a systematic approach to identifying and reporting deaths in custody, which is essential for accountability and oversight (source-3).
However, it is important to note that while the reported numbers provide a framework for tracking deaths, they may not capture all fatalities associated with ICE detention. The PubMed study mentions that some deaths may go unreported, particularly those of individuals released from custody shortly before their deaths, indicating that the true number of deaths may be higher than reported (source-1). This suggests a need for continuous monitoring and potential improvements in reporting practices.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the total number of reported deaths in ICE detention can be tracked annually is substantiated by credible sources, including peer-reviewed studies and official reports from ICE and the OIG. The systematic collection and publication of this data allow for annual tracking, although it is important to acknowledge potential underreporting of deaths associated with ICE detention.
Sources
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention ... - PubMed. Link
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics. Link
- PDF OIG-23-12 - ICE and CBP Deaths in Custody during FY 2021. Link
- The number of deaths in ICE custody is already more than double all of ... - NBC News. Link
- Tom Homan downplays deaths in ICE detention centers as numbers grow - MSNBC. Link
