ICE to cease reporting deaths of detainees released within 30 days

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is ending a policy that required the agency to report any detainees who died within 30 days of their release. This policy change was made by acting ICE Director David Venturella, who stated in an internal memo that ICE will revert to reporting deaths that occur while individuals are in custody. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed this change, indicating that ICE should not monitor deaths of detainees weeks after their release. The 30-day reporting requirement was implemented in 2021 under the Biden administration to hold ICE accountable for the health of newly released detainees, particularly following the death of a man from COVID-19 complications shortly after his release. So far this year, at least 18 immigrants have died in ICE custody, with over 30 deaths reported last year, the highest rate in two decades. One notable case involved Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian immigrant who died while detained in New Jersey, where protests have occurred regarding conditions in the facility.