Gone quiet · last update Oct 20, 2026 / United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Deaths in ICE custody during Trump's second term
Overview · reviewed October 28, 2026
Detainees have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at a steady pace during President Donald Trump's second term.[1][2] The deaths include a Cuban man whose death in a Texas detention camp a medical examiner indicated would likely be ruled a homicide, an Afghan man who had served alongside US special forces, and several people held at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey.[3][4][5] Mexico has sought a criminal investigation into the deaths of 17 Mexicans in immigration operations.[2]
The deaths include a Cuban man whose death in a Texas detention camp a medical examiner indicated would likely be ruled a homicide, an Afghan man who had served alongside US special forces, and several people held at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey.[3][4][5] Mexico has sought a criminal investigation into the deaths of 17 Mexicans in immigration operations.[2]
Coverage over time
LeftCenterRightLighter bar: this week so far
Weekly counts, outlets and reports (11 weeks with coverage)
| Week of (UTC) | Left | Center | Right | Of tracked | Share | Receipts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2026 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1% | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1% | |
| Aug 31, 2026 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 3% | |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1% | |
| Aug 3, 2026 | 14 | 32 | 9 | 55 | 10% | |
| Jul 13, 2026 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 3% | |
| Jul 6, 2026 | 11 | 21 | 13 | 45 | 8% | |
| Apr 13, 2026 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2% | |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 8% | |
| Jan 19, 2026 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 17 | 10% | |
| Jan 12, 2026 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 6% |
Latest coverage
Background
In January 2026 ICE said a Cuban migrant had died at a Texas detention camp after "medical distress," giving little detail;[6] the local medical examiner said the death, during an altercation with guards, would likely be classified as a homicide.[3] In March an Afghan man who had fled the Taliban died shortly after being detained,[4] and in April a 27-year-old Cuban man died in custody in Miami after an apparent suicide attempt, one of a string of deaths locally and nationwide.[1]
In August a third detainee died after being held at Delaney Hall; Rep. Rob Menendez said ICE had not disclosed it because it had changed how it reports detainee deaths.[5] Advocates said another man there, who had diabetes, died for lack of care,[7] and a Guatemalan detainee died after a medical emergency.[8] China pressed for answers after a Chinese man died in the Northern Mariana Islands,[9] a Costa Rican man became the third detainee in six months to die at a Louisiana facility,[10] and in October a lawful permanent resident died in Texas.[11]
Supporting stories (11)
- Cuban immigrant's apparent suicide is 48th death in ICE custody during 2nd Trump administration
- Mexico asks states to investigate migrant deaths in ICE custody
- ICE says a Cuban immigrant died in a suicide attempt. A witness says guards pinned and choked him
- An Afghan father who served with U.S. forces dies in ICE custody
- Rep. Rob Menendez says third detainee at Delaney Hall has died
- Medical examiner rules ICE detainee’s death at Texas facility a homicide
- New Jersey immigrant called his mom from ICE detention to say he was sick. He died the next day
- Third person dies at New Jersey immigration detention center
- China presses the US for answers after a man dies hours after entering ICE custody
- Costa Rican man complained of lack of care for diabetes before his death in ICE custody, family says
- Green Card Holder Dies in ICE Custody—Who Was Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias?
The full record
September 2026
August 2026
April 2026
Coverage & sources
Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.