The mortality rate among individuals held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody has climbed to its highest level in more than ten years, according to a joint report released Thursday by Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights.
The findings underscore deepening concerns over the safety and operational standards within the federal detention system.
The report comes amid a period of intense scrutiny for ICE, which has faced mounting criticism over detainee treatment.
Recent investigations have highlighted severe incidents, including a federal inspector’s report of a chokehold and a pen stabbing at a detention facility.
These allegations have fueled calls for greater oversight and accountability within the agency’s sprawling network of holding centers.
Operationally, ICE is also undergoing significant structural changes.