NEW YORK: At least 52 people have died in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody during the first 500 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights.
The report found that deaths in ICE custody have reached their highest rate in more than a decade, raising concerns over medical care, detention conditions, and government oversight. Researchers said the mortality rate has more than doubled since Trump returned to office in January 2025. They linked the increase to a sharp expansion in immigration detention.
Trump Administration Expands Immigration Crackdown With New Green Card and Banking Rules
Human Rights Watch said the number of people held in ICE facilities rose by 77 percent during Trump’s first year back in office, climbing from about 40,000 detainees to more than 71,000. The rights group argued that the administration’s detention policies have strained an already troubled system.
Researchers also accused the administration of weakening internal oversight mechanisms within the Department of Homeland Security, making accountability more difficult. The report said limited public disclosures have left families and lawmakers with few answers about detainee deaths.
Concerns Over Medical Care
The 73-page report examined deaths between October 2015 and June 2026. Medical experts reviewed 39 deaths recorded during the first year of Trump’s current administration. They found repeated concerns about delayed treatment and inadequate medical care.
In one case, researchers said detention staff failed to respond promptly when Ukrainian detainee Maksym Chernyak showed signs of a stroke. The report concluded that delays in transferring him to advanced medical care likely contributed to his death.
Another detainee, Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas, died in 2025 after spending 12 days in isolation following a Covid-19 diagnosis. His family said they still have not received complete records related to his detention and death.
Calls for Independent Investigations
Human Rights Watch urged Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to reduce immigration detention and expand alternatives to detention. The group also called for independent investigations into every death in custody and greater public transparency.
The United Nations has also called for prompt and independent investigations into deaths in ICE custody. UN officials expressed concern over detention conditions and urged US authorities to strengthen oversight mechanisms.
The Department of Homeland Security has maintained that it remains committed to safe and humane detention standards. However, rights groups argue that the rising death toll demands urgent reforms.