Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities have documented a historic number of deaths in federal custody during the current fiscal year, according to newly released government statistics.
Since the fiscal year began in October, 29 individuals have lost their lives while detained by ICE, a figure that has already exceeded the previous high of 28 fatalities recorded in 2004.
The troubling milestone represents the highest annual death count in immigration detention facilities in more than two decades, based on official federal data tracking mortality rates in these facilities.
This sharp increase in fatalities comes as the Trump administration has expanded immigration enforcement operations across the country, leading to higher detention populations in ICE facilities nationwide.
