Fact Check: "The worst year for ICE detainee deaths saw 12 fatalities."
What We Know
The claim that "the worst year for ICE detainee deaths saw 12 fatalities" is a reference to the number of deaths recorded in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. According to a study published on PubMed, there were 12 deaths reported from FY2021-2023, which is a significant decrease compared to 38 deaths from FY2018-2020 (source-1). The report also highlights that the death rate per 100,000 admissions was significantly higher during the pandemic, with a peak of 10.833 in FY2020 (source-1).
Furthermore, a report from the Department of Homeland Security indicated that 12 deaths were indeed recorded in a particular year, but this was not the only year with high fatalities. Reports from various sources suggest that the worst year for ICE deaths was actually in FY2020, with a total of 30 deaths (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that the worst year for ICE detainee deaths saw 12 fatalities is misleading. While it is true that 12 deaths were reported during the period of FY2021-2023, this does not reflect the historical context of ICE detainee deaths. The worst year for ICE deaths, according to multiple sources, was FY2020, which saw 30 deaths (source-2).
The reliability of the sources is critical in this context. The report from PubMed is based on systematic data collection and analysis of ICE death reports, making it a credible source for understanding trends in detainee deaths (source-1). In contrast, claims about the 12 fatalities being the worst year appear to be based on misinterpretation or selective reporting of data from ICE and media outlets (source-4, source-6).
Conclusion
The verdict is False. The assertion that "the worst year for ICE detainee deaths saw 12 fatalities" misrepresents the historical data on ICE deaths. The actual worst year for ICE detainee deaths was FY2020, which recorded 30 fatalities. The claim fails to provide a complete and accurate picture of the mortality rates in ICE detention facilities.
Sources
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention ... - PubMed. Link
- PDF OIG-23-12 - ICE and CBP Deaths in Custody during FY 2021. Link
- Two more Ice deaths put US on track for one of deadliest ... - The Guardian. Link
- At Least 11 Deaths in ICE Detention Under Trump, Deadliest Year Ahead - VisaVerge. Link
