Congress Must Investigate Rising Deaths In ICE Custody

CONGRESS CANNOT IGNORE A SHARP AND SUSTAINED RISE IN DEATHS IN FEDERAL CUSTODY As a constituent, I write because people are dying in U.S. government custody at levels not seen in decades, and Congress is responsible for oversight of the conditions under which those deaths are occurring. At least 31 people died in ICE custody in 2025 - the highest number in over twenty years - and reporting in March 2026 indicates that this year’s total has already reached at least 12 deaths. This is not an isolated issue - it is a sustained and sharply elevated pattern that Congress must confront directly. WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DETAINS, IT ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHETHER PEOPLE LIVE OR DIE When the federal government detains individuals, it assumes a legal and moral obligation to protect their lives. Reported causes of death include serious medical conditions, suicides, and, in at least one confirmed case, death by asphyxia during restraint. Regardless of individual circumstances, individuals are dying under federal care, raising serious concerns about whether that obligation is being fully met. A U.S. ALLY SURVIVED WAR ONLY TO DIE IN AMERICAN CUSTODY - THIS DEFINES A FAILURE OF U.S. RESPONSIBILITY Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan asylum seeker who worked with U.S. forces, including alongside U.S. Army Special Forces, was evacuated with his family in 2021 and was the primary supporter of his wife and six children. He survived years of conflict in support of the United States, only to die while in U.S. custody. When individuals who supported U.S. missions abroad are not protected here, it damages American credibility, calls into question American honor, and risks undermining future cooperation with allies. IF CONGRESS DOES NOT ACT, IT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING THESE CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE Congress has a constitutional responsibility to oversee federal agencies and to act when conditions in federal custody raise serious safety and legal concerns. Continued inaction will normalize preventable deaths and weaken public trust. This is occurring on Congress’s watch and requires immediate response. CONGRESS MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WITHOUT DELAY (1) Hold public oversight hearings within 60 days and compel testimony from ICE leadership, medical contractors, and facility operators. (2) Require comprehensive, standardized, and publicly available reporting on each death within 30 days, including cause, medical timelines, and facility-level accountability. (3) Mandate truly independent medical and operational reviews of facilities with repeated deaths or serious incidents, with findings reported to Congress and corrective actions required. (4) Evaluate and revise detention policies that may contribute to preventable harm, with specific recommendations submitted to Congress. (5) Direct ICE to implement immediate interim safety measures, including enhanced medical screening, timely access to care, and monitoring protocols, pending the results of Congressional oversight. (6) Establish consequences for facilities or contractors with repeated deaths, including suspension of operations or termination of contracts. The current trajectory is unacceptable. Congress must act to ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of human life. Thank you.