 custody have sharply increased during the early months of President Donald Trump’s second administration, according to recent data.){kind=link}
Record Mortality Rates Raise Alarm
Deaths among detainees in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody have sharply increased during the early months of President Donald Trump’s second administration, according to recent data. Analysts say this period is on track to become the deadliest for the federal detention system in years, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
As of late March 2026, at least 45 detainees have died in custody. The mortality rate has risen significantly—from about one death per 100,000 admissions in 2022 to 11 per 100,000 in early 2026. The increase comes as the detained population surpasses 70,000 individuals.
Expansion of Detention System
The rise in deaths coincides with expanded immigration enforcement and a rapid increase in detention capacity. The federal government is reportedly investing billions to convert facilities and add tens of thousands of detention beds.
Advocates argue that alternatives to detention—such as monitoring programs—have been reduced, while mandatory detention policies have expanded, including for some individuals seeking legal status.
Individual Cases Highlight Concerns
The death of Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian immigrant, has drawn attention to conditions inside detention facilities. His family alleges he was denied timely dental care for a severe tooth infection that later became life-threatening. Federal officials, however, say he declined certain treatments and received medical attention.
Other recent deaths include individuals found unresponsive in facilities, with some cases labeled as “presumed suicides.” Families and advocates have questioned those conclusions and called for independent investigations.
Growing Scrutiny and Calls for Accountability
Experts and immigration advocates warn that the rising death toll reflects systemic issues within detention facilities, including access to medical care and oversight. Some cases, including one ruled a homicide by a medical examiner, have intensified concerns about detainee safety.
As enforcement policies continue to expand, critics argue that stronger safeguards are needed to prevent further deaths and ensure humane treatment within the immigration system.
For more on Trump’s anti-immigration enforcement and its effects, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.