Felix Alcorta-Rodriguez, 63, of Mexico died this week at the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo, Texas, marking one of 20 deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody so far this year as federal investigators examine a spike in detainee fatalities that has drawn congressional scrutiny and sparked two new reviews by the Department of Homeland Security inspector general.
Background
The DHS Office of Inspector General announced Thursday it is launching two separate reviews related to ICE's treatment of detained migrants. One review will focus on an increase in detainee deaths, while the second will examine whether ICE facilities are complying with proper use-of-force standards when interacting with detainees, according to an announcement on the inspector general's website.
The death review was initiated after ICE detainee fatalities increased every fiscal year since 2022, according to the inspector general. The review period will span from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2026. Last year, ICE reported 33 deaths in detention. In 2024, that number was 11.
Among the cases under investigation is a detainee death at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, which has been ruled a homicide and is being examined by the FBI, according to DHS.
The Investigation
The use-of-force review follows a recent inspector general report documenting two violations at a Louisiana detention center: a prohibited chokehold used on a detainee and an incident where a guard allegedly used a pen to stab a detainee who refused to close his cell door. These findings prompted the broader review into ICE's compliance with force standards.
Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., questioned Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a House Appropriations Committee hearing Thursday about what she described as a "historically high death rate" in ICE detention. Mullin rejected the characterization, comparing mortality rates to state prisons in Illinois and stating that detainees are twice as likely to die in an Illinois state penitentiary than in ICE custody.
ICE recently modified its policy for reporting detainee deaths. Previously, the agency reported any death occurring at a detention center or within 30 days of a detainee's release. Under the revised policy, ICE will only report deaths while the detainee remains in physical custody, meaning those who become ill, are hospitalized, released, and subsequently die would no longer be included in official tallies. At least 11 ICE detainees have died at hospitals this year, according to ICE data.
A DHS spokesperson maintained that "there has been NO spike in deaths" and defended the standard of care in its facilities, stating that all detainees receive meals, medical treatment, and opportunities to contact family members and attorneys.
Key Takeaways
- There have been 20 deaths in ICE detention in 2026, compared to 33 for all of last year and 11 in 2024
- A detainee death at Camp East Montana in El Paso has been ruled a homicide; the FBI is investigating
- The inspector general will examine whether systemic factors contributed to detainee deaths from October 2021 through March 2026
- A recent DHS report documented use-of-force violations including a prohibited chokehold and a guard allegedly stabbing a detainee with a pen in Louisiana
- ICE changed its death reporting policy, no longer tracking detainees who die after being released from custody
What's Next
The inspector general's reviews are expected to take several months. Felix Alcorta-Rodriguez's death remains under investigation, with the cause of death pending autopsy results at the Webb County Detention Center. Congress is likely to continue pressing Homeland Security officials on detention conditions during upcoming hearings.