Illinois AG joins coalition urging ICE to restore death reporting after releases from custody

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 23 state attorneys general in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reverse a new policy that would reduce oversight of deaths that occur shortly after someone is released from ICE custody.

The coalition says the policy would end investigations and public reporting for these deaths, which they argue would weaken transparency and accountability. They warn that it could also create a harmful incentive for facilities to release people who are critically ill or mistreated shortly before death to avoid scrutiny.

Raoul and the other attorneys general point to rising numbers of deaths in ICE custody and to ongoing reports of unsafe and abusive conditions in detention facilities. They also say ICE has resisted external oversight, and that in recent months some routine checks by public health professionals and elected officials have been blocked.

The letter cites reported problems including denial of adequate medical care and placement in unsafe or unsanitary conditions. It also references ICE Office of Detention Oversight findings that, among a small set of facilities where many deaths occurred, some had deficient medical care.

Raoul says Illinois and the other states will continue pushing for public accountability and urges ICE to change course so people in custody are treated with basic dignity, humanity, and care. For the full details, readers can review the official letter linked from the Attorney General’s announcement.