WASHINGTON, June 17 (STL.News) – The death rate in United States immigration detention centers has more than doubled since President Donald Trump returned to office, according to a recent analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement records. Data processed by the Vera Institute of Justice indicates the mortality rate has shifted from one death per 3,848 detainees annually, recorded between 2009 and 2024, to approximately one death for every 1,630 people as of early June 2026.
Since the launch of the mass deportation campaign in January 2025, at least 50 individuals have died in U.S. immigration custody. These fatalities include a Vietnamese man who died at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana, a Chinese man who died by suicide in a Pennsylvania facility, and a Honduran man who suffered a fatal medical event while in a New York cell.
Rising Mortality in Custody
The surge in deaths follows a significant increase in the immigrant population held by ICE. When Trump took office, the agency held about 40,000 immigrants. This number climbed to approximately 70,000 in January 2026 during intensified enforcement efforts in areas such as Minneapolis, before settling at about 57,000 by early June.
Experts who reviewed ICE records and autopsy reports expressed concern regarding the quality of supervision and medical care provided within these expanded facilities. Among the 50 recorded deaths, 21 individuals were discovered unresponsive or already deceased, a total that includes 10 suicides. Medical professionals suggest these figures may indicate deficiencies in mental health oversight and timely emergency intervention.
Deficiencies in Medical Oversight
Cardiovascular issues and heart attacks accounted for 16 of the deaths reported during this period. Medical experts analyzing the data suggested that these fatalities could point toward inconsistencies in initial health screenings and the management of chronic conditions. Chanelle Diaz, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, stated that the current data indicate the agency is detaining medically vulnerable individuals within a system not designed to provide consistent chronic-care management.
“The system is not designed for chronic-care management,” Diaz said.
Detailed medical history, including medication records and emergency response specifics, was often absent from the administrative reports reviewed by experts. In the case of Santos Reyes Banegas, a Honduran man who died in a New York facility, reports confirmed he was experiencing tremors from alcohol withdrawal. Despite being prescribed medication, the documentation did not confirm whether the treatment was administered or why he was not transferred to a hospital for emergency management.
Enforcement Impacts and Detention
Policy changes implemented early in the Trump administration have widened the scope of those subject to detention. On his first day in office, the president rescinded guidance that required ICE to consider mitigating factors such as age, health, and family responsibilities before detaining immigrants. Additionally, the enactment of the Laken Riley Act now mandates the detention of individuals arrested for minor offenses, including shoplifting, which has introduced more people with complex medical needs into the detention network.
The death of Tuan Van Bui at the Miami Correctional Facility illustrates the challenges in emergency response. Bui, who suffered from high blood pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, collapsed on April 1. Fellow detainees reported that it took 15 minutes for a guard to arrive and an additional 10 minutes for medical staff to reach the scene. While federal standards require a four-minute response time for medical emergencies, the official ICE report states that staff initiated life-saving measures and contacted emergency services, though it did not acknowledge the delay reported by witnesses.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains its commitment to providing a safe and humane environment. DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis stated that comprehensive medical care is provided to individuals from the moment they arrive at a facility throughout their stay. The agency continues to investigate individual cases while emphasizing the challenges of managing a significantly larger detainee population.
