More migrants dying in ICE detention as numbers surge under Trump

ICE detention proves deadly as migrant deaths rise

In the first ten days of 2026, at least four migrants lost their lives in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, underscoring a crisis that experts say has been decades in the making.

The agency’s own figures reveal that the menaged 42 to 68 and hailing from Honduras, Cuba, and Cambodiadied in custody, two of them from heart-related issues. The circumstances surrounding the other two deaths remain unclear, with one officially marked “under investigation.”

While ICE has not commented publicly on the recent fatalities, the numbers reflect a broader, alarming trend: the deaths of migrants in US detention have surged under the Trump administration, amid a dramatic expansion of the detained population.

2025: a record-breaking year

The start of 2026 follows a grim 2025, which was the deadliest year for ICE detainees in two decades. At least 30 people died in custody, surpassing the total number of deaths under the entire Biden administration, which saw 26 deaths over four years.

By December 2025, ICE held over 68,000 adultsa near doubling from around 36,000 in December 2023. Critics warn that such an influx has placed unsustainable pressure on detention facilities, with health care and safety standards failing to keep pace.

Medical neglect under scrutiny

Human rights groups have long flagged concerns about the quality of medical care in ICE detention. A 2024 report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) concluded that up to 95 percent of deaths in ICE custody between 2017 and 2021 could have been prevented with proper care.

The analysis revealed systemic failures: delayed treatment, misdiagnoses, and inadequate monitoring of chronic health conditions. Experts say that for vulnerable detaineesoften older adults or those with preexisting conditionssuch failures can quickly become fatal.

Social media reactions to the recent deaths reflect outrage and despair. Activists and advocates have called for urgent reforms, highlighting what they see as a growing humanitarian crisis. Some point to the contrast between rising detention numbers and the lack of investment in medical infrastructure and staffing.

Why this matters

These deaths are more than statisticsthey illustrate a fundamental tension in US immigration policy under the Trump administration. As detention numbers balloon, oversight and care appear insufficient, leaving detainees exposed to life-threatening risks.

For many observers, the fatalities also highlight a broader question about accountability in ICE facilities. Advocacy groups argue that repeated warnings about inadequate health care have been ignored, and that systemic reforms are urgently needed to prevent further loss of life.

As 2026 unfolds, the combination of high detention numbers, under-resourced facilities, and chronic health vulnerabilities means that the risk to migrants remains acute. Without swift action, experts warn that early fatalities could foreshadow a year of continued tragedy in US detention centers.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com