ICE Deaths Rise: Neglect & Noem’s Oversight Failures

Kristi Noem’s Tenure at DHS Linked to Rising Deaths in ICE Custody

Concerns are mounting over a pattern of deaths within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities as former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faces scrutiny for her role in overseeing the agency. Recent reports detail the deaths of two immigrants in ICE custody this week, including a Haitian asylum seeker who reportedly died from an untreated toothache. The incidents are fueling calls for accountability and raising questions about the quality of medical care provided to detainees under Noem’s leadership.

Emmanuel Damas, 56, a Haitian asylum seeker, died from an infection linked to a toothache that his family alleges went untreated for two weeks while he was incarcerated at the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona. He appears to be the tenth person to die while in ICE custody in 2026, potentially bringing the total number of deaths under the current administration to at least 39. Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, 48, died in a California hospital on February 27 after falling ill at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, where the detainee population has reportedly skyrocketed in recent months.

Details Emerging from Arizona and California

Chandler City Councilwoman Christine Ellis, a Haitian American and registered nurse representing the Arizona community near the Florence Correctional Center, spoke with Damas’s family and relayed their account to local journalists. According to Ellis, Damas first reported a toothache on February 12 and was given ibuprofen. Family members claim he suffered for nearly two weeks before collapsing due to a dangerous infection. ICE has not yet issued a statement regarding Damas’s death and did not immediately respond to inquiries from Truthout.

The death of Gutierrez-Reyes prompted a statement from ICE, but researchers have criticized the agency’s claims about the quality of healthcare provided to detainees. Austin Kocher, a research assistant professor at Syracuse University who analyzes ICE data, pointed out that ICE asserted detainees receive “the best healthcare many aliens have received in their entire lives,” a claim Kocher debunked as being inconsistent with the experiences of individuals like Damas.

A Pattern of Preventable Deaths

These deaths are not isolated incidents. Reports indicate a disturbing trend of preventable deaths within ICE facilities. Researchers found that 95 percent of deaths recorded during the previous administration were potentially preventable with adequate medical care. Recent outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19 and tuberculosis at facilities like Camp East Montana in Texas, coupled with reports of inedible food and medical neglect, underscore the systemic issues within the detention system.

Calls for Investigation and Accountability

The family of Gutierrez-Reyes has launched an online fundraiser to support his wife and son, as he was their sole financial provider. The Mexican government is reportedly demanding a U.S. Investigation into his death. Meanwhile, Massachusetts lawmakers are seeking answers after learning of Damas’s death, with his brother, John, expressing frustration and demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his brother’s passing. “I don’t know what happened in that facility. I don’t know if it was negligence. I don’t know if it was laziness. I don’t know if it is the protocol. I have tons of questions and what I would like is a very thorough investigation,” he stated.

Noem’s Role and the Future of DHS

The timing of these deaths coincides with a contentious period for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She recently appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee and President Trump announced on March 5 his intention to remove Noem from her position. Noem had previously fought in court to restrict congressional oversight of ICE facilities, a move that drew criticism from lawmakers concerned about transparency and accountability. Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin is reportedly Trump’s pick to replace Noem, but his confirmation by the Senate remains uncertain.

Expanding Detention Capacity and Rising Costs

ICE’s detention capacity has significantly expanded in recent years, fueled by a substantial increase in funding. The agency now has the capacity to hold up to 135,000 people, a dramatic increase from under 40,000 previously. This expansion is supported by an additional $45 billion allocated through a recent GOP budget bill. However, the increased capacity has not necessarily translated to improved conditions or healthcare for detainees.

Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, emphasized that no one seeking safety in the U.S. Should die in government custody. The Alliance is advocating for independent investigations into all deaths in ICE custody and the implementation of alternatives to detention for individuals pursuing legal status. “The death of Emmanuel Damas is a devastating reminder that our immigration detention system is failing the most basic standard of human dignity,” Jozef said in a statement. “People seeking safety should not die from untreated medical conditions while in government custody.”