ICE will no longer report deaths within 30 days of detainees’ release, ending a Biden-era policy as deaths in federal immigration custody rise and advocates warn of less oversight.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is ending its policy of reporting deaths of recently released detainees, the Department of Homeland Security said – a change in policy amid increasing scrutiny over the deaths of immigrants in federal custody.
The previous policy, adopted during the Biden administration, required the agency to review and report all fatalities of federal detainees, including those occurring up to 30 days after release from custody.
The change in policy was first reported by the Washington Post, which cited a memo from acting director David Venturella sent to agency employees Thursday saying ICE is eliminating its requirement to report deaths occurring within 30 days of people being released from its custody.
“Under this updated policy, when an individual is no longer in ICE custody then ICE will no longer be responsible for monitoring or reviewing deaths that may occur,” DHS said in an X post Thursday, calling it “common sense.”