Key Takeaways
• At least 11 deaths occurred in ICE detention under Trump by June 2025, possibly 12 recently.
• Detention overcrowding reached 140% capacity with 56,397 migrants detained as of mid-2025.
• Trump administration proposes $168 billion increase to immigration enforcement over five years.
At least 11 people have died in ICE detention under the Trump administration as of late June 2025, with the number possibly reaching 12 after the recent death of a 75-year-old Cuban man in custody. This troubling trend puts the United States 🇺🇸 on track for its deadliest year in immigrant detention deaths in decades. The rapid rise in fatalities, combined with record levels of detention and aggressive enforcement, has sparked urgent calls for reform from advocacy groups, legal experts, and foreign governments. Here’s a detailed look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for immigrants, families, and the broader public.
Who is affected? Immigrants held in ICE detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸, their families, advocacy organizations, and even foreign governments whose citizens have died in custody.
What’s happening? The Trump administration’s policies have led to a sharp increase in the number of people held in ICE detention, with at least 11–12 deaths already reported in 2025. If this pace continues, the year could see as many as 24 deaths—numbers not seen since 2004.
Where is this occurring? Deaths have been reported in detention centers nationwide, including recent cases in Miami and Atlanta.
When did this start? The spike in deaths has been most pronounced since the start of 2025, but concerns about ICE detention conditions have been ongoing for years.
Why is this happening? Overcrowding, poor medical care, and a lack of oversight are major factors. The Trump administration’s push for mass detention and rapid deportation has stretched facilities beyond their limits.
How are authorities and advocates responding? Advocacy groups are demanding accountability and reform, while ICE maintains it is providing necessary care but faces challenges due to the sheer number of detainees.
The Current Crisis: Deaths in ICE Detention
Recent Deaths and Alarming Statistics
As of June 2025, at least 11 people have died in ICE detention under the Trump administration, with reports suggesting the number may now be at least 12. The most recent case involved a 75-year-old Cuban man who died last week. These numbers are based on notices sent to Congress and media outlets, as ICE often delays public announcements about fatalities.
Key recent cases include:
– Johnny Noviello, 49, from Canada 🇨🇦: Found unresponsive in a Miami detention center on June 23, 2025.
– Jesus Molina-Veya, 45: Died in ICE custody in Atlanta on June 7, 2025. His death is under investigation after he was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck.
The current pace means the United States 🇺🇸 could see up to 24 immigrant detention deaths by the end of 2025, a figure not seen since the George W. Bush administration, which recorded 28 deaths in 2004.
Overcrowding and Strained Facilities
As of mid-June 2025, more than 56,397 migrants were in immigration detention—about 140% of the system’s intended capacity. This severe overcrowding increases the risk of harm and death for detainees, as facilities struggle to provide even basic care.
Policy and Operational Changes Under the Trump Administration
Expansion of Detention and Enforcement
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a top priority, aiming to detain and deport millions of migrants as quickly as possible. This has led to a dramatic expansion of the ICE detention system, with plans to triple its capacity if fully funded and implemented.
- Funding: Immigration and border enforcement already make up two-thirds of all federal law enforcement spending. The administration’s proposed “Big, Beautiful Bill” could add another $168 billion to immigration and border enforcement over the next five years.
Deteriorating Conditions in Detention Centers
Advocacy groups and legal experts warn that conditions in ICE detention centers have gotten much worse. Overcrowding, medical neglect, and a lack of transparency are among the most serious problems. Paul Chavez, litigation and advocacy director at Americans for Immigrant Justice, described the current situation as “the worst I have seen in my 20-year career.”
How Deaths in ICE Detention Are Reported and Investigated
Step-by-Step Process
- Death Occurs: Facility staff must notify ICE headquarters and local law enforcement right away.
- Congress Notification: ICE is required to inform Congress of any death in custody, usually within 24 hours.
- Public Announcement: ICE may issue a press release or update its detainee death reporting page, but there is often a delay.
- Investigation: An internal investigation begins, and sometimes independent medical experts or advocacy groups review the case.
- Family Notification: ICE must notify the detainee’s family and, if needed, consular officials from the detainee’s home country.
- Documentation: All records, including medical files and investigation reports, are collected and may be released through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Delays and Lack of Transparency
Families of deceased detainees often face long waits for information. Advocacy groups say that ICE’s slow and sometimes incomplete reporting makes it hard to hold the agency accountable or to understand the real causes of death.
Advocacy Groups and Expert Perspectives
Advocacy Organizations
Groups like the ACLU, Physicians for Human Rights, American Oversight, and Detention Watch Network have been outspoken critics of ICE’s handling of detainee health and safety. They argue that many deaths could have been prevented with better medical care and oversight.
- Eunice Cho, ACLU National Prison Project: “Each of these deaths represent a preventable tragedy, and underscores the systematic danger posed by placing people in immigration detention. ICE has failed to provide adequate—even basic—medical and mental health care and ensure that people in detention are treated with dignity.”
Medical and Legal Experts
A major report released in June 2024, “Deadly Failures: Preventable Deaths in U.S. Immigration Detention,” found that 95% of deaths from 2017–2021 were likely preventable with proper medical care. Independent medical experts continue to highlight ongoing failures in both medical and mental health care for detainees.
Government and Foreign Officials
The Canadian government 🇨🇦 has demanded answers about the death of Johnny Noviello, with consular officials seeking more information from U.S. authorities. ICE, for its part, says it provides necessary care but admits that overcrowding and complex health needs make this difficult.
Practical Effects on Stakeholders
Detainees
- Risks: Overcrowding, poor medical care, and lack of mental health support put detainees at higher risk of serious harm or death.
- Living Conditions: Many report unsanitary conditions, lack of access to doctors, and delays in getting needed treatment.
Families
- Information Delays: Families often wait days or weeks to learn what happened to their loved ones.
- Barriers to Justice: It can be very hard for families to get answers or hold anyone accountable for a death in custody.
Advocates and Legal Representatives
- Accountability Efforts: Advocacy groups and attorneys work to push for policy changes, support families, and hold ICE responsible for preventable deaths.
Recent Policy Changes and Ongoing Debates
Detention Standards and Oversight
ICE’s 2025 National Detention Standards are supposed to set rules for how detainees are treated, but many advocates say these standards are not enforced. Oversight remains weak, and problems continue.
Funding and Expansion
The Trump administration’s push for an extra $168 billion in immigration enforcement funding could make things worse by expanding detention even further, putting more people at risk.
Alternatives to Detention
Groups like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) are calling for alternatives to physical detention, such as supervised release or community-based programs. They argue these options are safer and more humane.
Historical Context: A Pattern of Preventable Deaths
Trends Over Time
The number of deaths in ICE custody has gone up and down over the years, often rising during times of high detention and overcrowding. The current pace under the Trump administration is among the highest in decades.
Systemic Problems
Reports and investigations have repeatedly found that systemic failures in medical care, oversight, and accountability are to blame for many deaths. Advocacy groups have been documenting these problems for years, calling for major reforms.
What’s Next? Future Outlook and Anticipated Changes
Continued Expansion Likely
If the Trump administration’s plans are fully carried out, the number of people in ICE detention—and the risk of more deaths—could keep rising.
Policy Debates in Congress
Lawmakers are debating how much money to spend on detention, what standards should apply, and whether to use alternatives to detention. The outcome will shape the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.
Calls for Accountability
As more deaths and abuses come to light, demands for independent oversight, transparency, and real accountability are likely to grow.
Official Resources and Where to Get More Information
- ICE Detainee Death Reporting: ICE Detainee Death Reporting
- ICE Detention Management: ICE Detention Management
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics: ICE Statistics
- Advocacy Organizations:
Key Data and Developments (June 2025)
- Deaths in ICE Custody (2025): At least 11–12 under Trump, with up to 24 possible by year-end
- Recent Notable Deaths: Johnny Noviello (Canada 🇨🇦), Jesus Molina-Veya (Mexico)
- Detention Capacity: Over 56,397 detainees (140% of intended capacity)
- Policy Changes: Proposed $168 billion increase in enforcement funding, plans for detention expansion
- Advocacy Reports: “Deadly Failures” (ACLU, Physicians for Human Rights, American Oversight, June 2024)
- Expert Consensus: 95% of deaths preventable with adequate care
Conclusion and Practical Guidance
The rising number of immigrant detention deaths under the Trump administration is a serious and urgent problem. Overcrowding, poor medical care, and lack of oversight are putting lives at risk. Advocacy groups, legal experts, and even foreign governments are demanding answers and reforms.
If you have a loved one in ICE detention:
– Stay in close contact with legal representatives and advocacy groups.
– Request regular updates from ICE and, if needed, file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records.
– If you are concerned about a detainee’s health or safety, contact the facility and relevant advocacy organizations immediately.
For those seeking more information or wishing to take action:
– Visit the ICE Detainee Death Reporting page for official updates.
– Reach out to advocacy groups for support and guidance.
– Follow ongoing policy debates in Congress and consider contacting your representatives to share your concerns.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation in ICE detention centers remains fluid, with the potential for even more deaths if current trends continue. The coming months will be critical in determining whether meaningful reforms are made to protect the health and safety of immigrants in detention.
Learn Today
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US agency handling immigration detention and enforcement.
Overcrowding → Holding more detainees than facility capacity, causing strained resources and risks.
FOIA → Freedom of Information Act, a law allowing public access to government records.
Detention Standards → Official rules governing treatment and conditions for detainees in ICE custody.
Advocacy Groups → Organizations demanding legal and policy changes to protect immigrant rights.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, ICE detention deaths reached alarming highs due to overcrowding and poor care. Advocacy groups demand urgent reforms amid plans to expand detention capacity and funding under the Trump administration, risking more preventable immigrant deaths and systemic failures in accountability and healthcare.
— By VisaVerge.com
