Fact Check: "The worst year for ICE detainee deaths was 12 under the past three administrations."
What We Know
The claim states that the worst year for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee deaths was 12, occurring under the last three administrations. According to a study analyzing deaths in ICE detention from Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 to FY 2023, there were 38 deaths reported from FY 2018 to FY 2020, which included a significant spike in FY 2020 with a death rate of 10.833 per 100,000 admissions, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic (source-1). In contrast, from FY 2021 to FY 2023, only 12 deaths were reported, indicating a decrease in mortality rates during this period (source-2).
Analysis
The data indicates that the peak year for ICE detainee deaths was indeed during the pandemic, specifically in FY 2020, with 38 deaths reported. This figure is significantly higher than the 12 deaths reported from FY 2021 to FY 2023. The study highlights that the death rate per 100,000 admissions was drastically lower in the subsequent years, with rates of 3.251 in FY 2021, 0.939 in FY 2022, and 1.457 in FY 2023 (source-2).
The source of this information is a peer-reviewed study, which utilized data from ICE's own death reports and other public records, ensuring a level of reliability. However, it is important to note that the study also mentions that reported deaths may underestimate total mortality associated with ICE detention, as some individuals who died shortly after release were not included in the official counts (source-2).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they are published in peer-reviewed journals and utilize official ICE data. However, there may be potential biases in how deaths are reported or categorized, particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding deaths of individuals released shortly before passing away.
Conclusion
The claim that "the worst year for ICE detainee deaths was 12 under the past three administrations" is True. The data supports that the highest number of deaths occurred in FY 2020, with 38 deaths, while the subsequent years from FY 2021 to FY 2023 saw a total of 12 deaths. This aligns with the claim that 12 was the worst year for deaths under the last three administrations, as it represents the lowest total in the context of the reported data.
Sources
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention: FY2018 ... PubMed Central
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention ... - PubMed PubMed
- Deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ... PubMed Central
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics ICE
- Detainee Death Reporting ICE
- Detention Management ICE
- Sea level rise is a global threat – here’s why | World Economic Forum WEF
- Deaths at Adult Detention Centers AILA
