How many individuals have died in ICE custody this 12 months?

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Welcome to The Logoff: Persons are dying in ICE custody at a report tempo.

What’s taking place? Earlier this week, we realized that Royer Perez-Jimenez, a 19-year-old from Mexico, died in ICE custody by a “presumed suicide,” in response to the company. His loss of life is at the very least the thirteenth to be reported in 2026, not even three full months into the 12 months.

Information of Perez-Jimenez’s loss of life follows that of Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, an Afghan refugee who fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan earlier than coming to the US in 2021. Paktiawal, who died on Saturday, was reportedly arrested by masked immigration agents whereas dropping his youngsters off at college the day earlier than. His household says they nonetheless don’t know why he died .

What’s the context? In 2004 — the primary full 12 months ICE existed — 32 individuals died in custody. No different 12 months had greater than 20 deaths till 2025, when 31 individuals died, according to ICE data reported by CBS .

Now, in 2026, ICE has reported extra deaths in custody than 16 earlier full years — and greater than 3 times as many as at this level in 2025.

What’s the massive image? There are practically 70,000 individuals at the moment in ICE detention, in comparison with fewer than 40,000 when Donald Trump returned to workplace final 12 months.

More and more a lot of these detainees at the moment are being arrested solely for immigration violations, according to Reuters . These arrests have been by far the smallest class when Trump took workplace, however now outstrip each detainees convicted of crimes and people dealing with legal prices.

Lots of these detainees are being held in appalling situations, the place they face overcrowded and unsanitary amenities, lack of entry to care, and alleged abuse by immigration officers. One detainee at a very infamous camp told the AP it was “1,000% worse than a jail.”

And with that, it’s time to log out…

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