Key facts
- The DHS inspector general has opened two new investigations into ICE's treatment of detainees.
The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has launched two new investigations into the treatment of detainees by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), adding to a growing number of internal inquiries into the agency's operations.
The investigations highlight ongoing concerns about the conditions and care provided to individuals in ICE custody, potentially leading to policy changes or increased scrutiny of the agency's operations.
The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has initiated two new investigations into the treatment of detainees by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), expanding the scope of oversight into the agency's operations. These probes are part of a broader pattern of internal inquiries that have been ongoing since the Trump administration, covering areas from arrest coordination programs to vehicle procurement.
The administration has publicly defended the conditions and quality of care within immigration detention facilities. Earlier on Thursday, a DHS official stated at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing that the federal government employs more doctors for immigration detention than comparable state facilities, noting that the death rate in ICE custody is approximately 0.0009%.
However, these new investigations coincide with growing concerns from lawmakers and immigration advocacy groups regarding an increase in detainee deaths. A recent report by Human Rights Watch criticized detention facilities for providing substandard medical care and lacking adequate policies to manage the large influx of individuals within the strained system. Last week, Senators Alex Padilla and Dick Durbin sent a letter to ICE seeking detailed information on the agency's strategies for addressing detainee deaths and its policies for migrant care.