Memo orders ICE to stop reporting deaths of newly released detainees
Acting director David Venturella rescinds Biden-era policy that required agency to report and investigate such deaths
TL;DR
- ICE is ceasing the reporting of deaths of detainees who die within 30 days of their release.
- This rescinds a 2021 Biden administration policy that required reporting and investigation of such deaths.
- The 2021 policy aimed to ensure ICE accountability for deaths by preventing the release of severely ill individuals to avoid deaths in custody.
- The change comes amid scrutiny of ICE's healthcare quality and a significant number of detainee deaths and suicides.
- ICE states the new policy reverts to standard practice of reporting deaths only while an individual is in agency custody.