No Borders NewsNew York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE to reverse a new policy. The policy would stop investigations and public reporting of deaths that happen shortly after a person is released from ICE custody.
In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the attorneys general criticized the change as reducing transparency and accountability. They said reports of abusive and unsafe conditions in ICE detention facilities have continued to rise, and that the new approach would make it harder for the public to learn what happened.
The coalition said the policy departs from earlier standards and conflicts with congressional requirements meant to ensure detention facilities provide adequate care. They also argued that ending death-related investigations and reporting could create a harmful incentive for facilities to release critically ill people shortly before they die to avoid scrutiny.
The letter notes that national detention standards require initial health screenings and access to necessary medical and mental health care, along with safe and sanitary conditions. It also points out that Congress has required ICE to investigate and report deaths during detention, and that ICE previously could request reviews for deaths occurring within 30 days of release.
The attorneys general are asking DHS and ICE to rescind the policy and return to prior reporting practices. The NY AG’s office also links the policy to broader concerns that ICE detention centers are facing less oversight as conditions for detainees worsen, according to the letter.