Fact Check: "The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency reports in-custody deaths."
What We Know
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency does indeed report deaths that occur in its custody. According to ICE's own Detainee Death Reporting, the agency prioritizes the health care of detained individuals and maintains national detention standards that require comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health care from the moment detainees arrive. Furthermore, a report from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General noted that ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported deaths in custody, specifically reviewing five deaths in ICE custody during fiscal year 2021, which illustrates the agency's acknowledgment of such incidents (OIG Report).
In a recent investigation, NPR reported on the death of Melvin Ariel Calero-Mendoza, an immigrant who died while in ICE custody at the Aurora Processing Center. The investigation revealed that the facility failed to meet several health standards, raising questions about the treatment of detainees (NPR). This incident is part of a broader pattern, as reports indicate that the number of deaths in ICE custody has significantly increased, with at least ten deaths reported in the current fiscal year, more than double that of the previous year (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that ICE reports in-custody deaths is supported by multiple credible sources. ICE's own documentation outlines its procedures for reporting deaths, indicating a level of transparency regarding such incidents (Detainee Death Reporting). Additionally, the OIG report confirms that ICE has documented deaths in custody, which further substantiates the claim (OIG Report).
However, the reliability of ICE's reporting practices has been questioned. For instance, the NPR investigation into Calero-Mendoza's death highlighted significant failures in medical care and a lack of timely reporting, suggesting systemic issues within ICE facilities (NPR). Critics argue that while ICE does report deaths, the conditions leading to these deaths and the agency's response to them may not always be adequately addressed, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.
The increase in reported deaths, as noted by NBC News, indicates a troubling trend that warrants further scrutiny of ICE's practices and the conditions within its detention facilities (NBC News). This context is essential for understanding the implications of ICE's reporting on in-custody deaths.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency reports in-custody deaths is True. ICE has established protocols for documenting and reporting such incidents, as evidenced by both its own guidelines and external oversight reports. However, the agency's reliability in managing and responding to these incidents remains a critical concern, as highlighted by investigations into specific cases and the increasing number of deaths in custody.
