Since the fatal shooting of protester Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7, the confrontational tactics employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have spiked national scrutiny.

Multiple news reports show that deaths among migrants held by ICE have surged under President Donald Trump’s second administration, prompting intense criticism from advocacy groups, lawmakers and activists.

At least four people have died in ICE custody within the first 10 days of this year, with three deaths announced between January 9 and 10. At least 30 people died in ICE custody in 2025, the highest level in two decades, agency figures showed.

The Trump administration aims to ramp up deportations and has increased the number of migrants in detention. As of January 7, ICE statistics showed that the agency was detaining 69,000 people. The numbers were expected to rise following a massive ICE funding infusion passed by the U.S. Congress last year.

Advocates and immigrant rights groups argue that this rapid expansion of detention has worsened conditions, contributing to overcrowding, inadequate medical care and preventable fatalities. Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network, called the high number of deaths "truly staggering" and urged the administration to shutter detention centers.

External analyses suggest that, in addition to overcrowding, the decline in humanitarian releases and tighter enforcement policies mean that more medically vulnerable individuals – including those with chronic illnesses or substance-dependence issues – are being retained in custody rather than released or treated in community settings.  

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials, however, maintain that the death rate remains consistent with historical norms relative to the higher detention population and argue that detainees receive comprehensive medical care.  

External observers have expressed concern over the level of medical treatment provided to detainees.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) concluded in a 2024 report that up to 95 percent of deaths in ICE detention centers could have been prevented with proper care.

The report analyzes deaths in ICE custody between 2017 and 2021 by examining thousands of pages of documents obtained through public records requests.

Medical experts reviewing these documents found numerous instances of erroneous or inappropriate treatments, as well as significant delays in medical care.

(With input from agencies)