Four migrants — two Hondurans, one Cuban and one Cambodian — died in ICE custody between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, 2026, agency press releases said. The deaths come as the detained population rises to roughly 69,000 people after increased funding and expanded deportation efforts. Advocates described the toll as "truly staggering," while DHS defended its standards of care. Investigations into the deaths are ongoing, and the events coincided with nationwide protests after a separate fatal shooting by an ICE officer.
Four Migrants Die in U.S. Immigration Custody During First Week of 2026 as Detentions Rise
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stand guard during protests against increased immigration enforcement and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Four migrants died while in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, 2026, according to government press releases. The fatalities — two men from Honduras, one from Cuba and one from Cambodia — come as the detained population has grown sharply amid expanded deportation efforts and a significant funding boost for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Who Died and Where
ICE identified the deceased as 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos of Cuba, who died on Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana on the grounds of Fort Bliss, Texas; Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, 42, and Luis Beltran Yanez–Cruz, 68, both Honduran nationals who died in hospitals in Houston and Indio, California, on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 respectively; and Parady La, a 46-year-old Cambodian man who died on Jan. 9 at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia.
Circumstances and Investigations
ICE said it is investigating the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos. According to agency statements, staff placed him in isolation after he became disruptive; he was later found in distress and emergency medical technicians pronounced him dead. The two Honduran men reportedly died following heart-related problems after being transported to local hospitals. ICE said Parady La died after experiencing severe drug withdrawal symptoms.
Context: Rising Detentions and Previous Year’s Toll
As of Jan. 7, ICE reported it was detaining about 69,000 people — a number expected to grow following increased congressional funding and the administration’s stepped-up deportation efforts. Agency figures show at least 30 people died in ICE custody in 2025, the highest toll in two decades.
“Truly staggering,” said Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network, urging officials to close detention centers. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the rate of deaths has tracked historical norms and defended the agency’s standard of care, noting expanded bed capacity and access to medical services.
Broader Reaction and Related Incident
Detention advocates and critics have pointed to policy changes that have sharply curtailed humanitarian releases, arguing that fewer releases and larger detained populations increase risks for people in custody. Separately, an ICE officer fatally shot a Minnesota mother of three last week — an incident that sparked protests in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities.
Note: Investigations into in-custody deaths remain ongoing, and ICE has said it will review the circumstances of each case.
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