Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed on May 14, 2025, during a House Appropriations Committee hearing, that nine individuals have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since January 20, 2025. Lyons stated that ICE conducts thorough investigations into each in-custody death and is committed to transparency in these matters . This revelation has intensified scrutiny over ICE’s detention practices, particularly amid the Trump administration’s efforts to expand immigration enforcement and detention capacities. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the conditions within ICE facilities, citing issues such as overcrowding, medical neglect, and the use of private detention centers . The acknowledgment of these deaths comes as ICE seeks increased funding to support its operations, including plans to significantly expand detention capacity and deportation efforts .
