ICE acting director says 9 people died in custody since January
Todd Lyons says ICE conducts ‘thorough investigation’ into all in-custody deaths amid growing concerns about detention capacity, immigration crackdown
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
WASHINGTON
The Acting Director US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons said Wednesday that nine people have died in the agency’s custody since January amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants.
Speaking before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Lyons said the agency conducts a “thorough investigation” on every death involving ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility and local jurisdictions.
“ICE is dedicated to transparency,” he told lawmakers.
Lyons received sharp criticism from Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar, who criticized the Trump administration’s continued use of private detention centers and accused ICE of targeting individuals with legal status, including those with student visas and green cards.
“I'd characterize what happens inside (these facilities) as tantamount to human rights abuses,” she said, citing overcrowding, medical negligence, and a lack of necessities.
Escobar raised concerns about ICE’s detention capacity and asked for specifics on how reconciliation funding translates into additional beds and the cost per bed per day.
Lyons did not provide figures but said costs vary by region and expressed a preference for working with public institutions versus private facilities.
“What we're focused on is working with your committee and working with members of Congress to ensure that we do add to our bed space capacity in the proper and fiscal way,” he said.
