ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an ‘alarming’ rate, an AP investigation finds

2026, May 27

United States

An Associated Press investigation has found that suicides among people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are rising at an “alarming” rate, marking the highest level in the agency’s modern history.

🧾 Key findings

At least 10 ICE detainees have died by suicide since January 2025

Seven of those deaths occurred since October, making it the worst short-term spike on record

Suicides now account for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in ICE custody during the period studied

The total detainee population has risen sharply, but the suicide rate is increasing faster than the population growth

🏚️ What investigators found inside detention facilities

The AP investigation describes widespread systemic issues across ICE facilities, including:

Delayed or denied mental health treatment

Inadequate screening for suicidal risk at intake

Use of solitary confinement, which experts say can worsen mental distress

Missed or ignored warning signs from detainees

Overstretched staffing and inconsistent medical oversight

In several cases, detainees reportedly requested help but did not receive timely intervention.

Who is most affected

According to the reporting:

Most of those who died were young men (average age ~32)

Many were detained for non-violent immigration-related reasons A significant number had been in custody for only a short time before their deaths

⚖️ Official response

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security say:

Suicide prevention protocols are in place

Staff receive mandatory training

Mental health care is available in detention facilities

However, the AP investigation concludes that implementation is inconsistent across facilities, especially those operated by private contractors or local jails.

🧠 Bigger picture

The findings have intensified scrutiny of:

Conditions in immigration detention

The impact of rapid increases in detainee numbers

Whether current detention systems are equipped to handle vulnerable populations