Exclusive: How understaffing and DHS policy drives rising deaths in ICE detention centers
Exclusive: Rising Deaths in ICE Detention Centers Due to Understaffing and Policy
Exclusive – Inside a secluded Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Southern California, Jose Guadalupe Ramos’ cellmates noticed his critical condition. Ramos, who was struggling to breathe, turned purple and his eyes rolled back in his head, recalled Marco Martinez, who said he slept in the bunk next to Ramos. As Ramos’s fellow detainees screamed for help, it took 10 minutes for medical staff to respond, Martinez said. When they arrived, nurses grappled with a malfunctioning oxygen tank as they attempted to revive Ramos, he said. The 52-year-old, who had lived in the US for nearly three decades, was covered in a blanket and carried out on a stretcher. He was soon declared dead.
“I don’t want to accept it,” said his widow, Antonia Tovar, who lives with their two children in the same Los Angeles-area house where she and Ramos were married 29 years ago. “I still feel like one day he’s going to come back.”
Exclusive findings reveal that Ramos is among nearly 50 ICE detainees who have died since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, coinciding with his push for mass deportations. More than 50 fatalities occurred in custody in 2025, surpassing any year in at least two decades. The number of deaths in 2026 is on track to exceed that, with many cases deemed preventable. A CNN investigation links these tragic outcomes to subpar medical care, often due to understaffed teams managing growing detainee populations. Autopsy reports, court records, and interviews with detainees and experts highlight systemic failures in response times and treatment quality.
Systemic Crises in Detention Facilities
A new report from the California attorney general’s office, exclusively shared with CNN, details conditions in centers like the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, where Ramos and three others died since early 2025. Despite a 20-fold increase in detainees—over 2,000 in July compared to fewer than 100 in February 2021—the number of healthcare professionals dropped to levels seen years earlier. The state inspection team noted “crisis-level health care understaffing,” with medical staff frequently failing to conduct required screenings or refer detainees to appropriate care for chronic and acute conditions.
Exclusive data shows that staffing shortages were worsened by DHS policies, including directives discouraging early release of elderly and sick detainees. The elimination of oversight offices meant to monitor safety risks also contributed, leaving officials and contractors unaccountable for critical errors. As detainee numbers surged under Trump’s deportation agenda, medical teams struggled to meet demand, creating a perfect storm of delays and neglect. The lack of transparency from DHS and its contractors has further complicated efforts to address the issue, with officials often withholding figures on staffing levels from investigators and the media.
Policy and Practice in Conflict
Exclusive interviews with detainees and experts underscore how outdated policies clash with modern medical needs. The report highlights that the two largest contractors, GEO Group and CoreCivic, have not provided clear data on staffing levels in key facilities. For instance, while Adelanto’s capacity expanded, the number of healthcare professionals available for emergency care shrank, increasing the risk of preventable deaths. This trend mirrors similar issues in other facilities, indicating a widespread problem in the system.
Exclusive analysis of the situation reveals that the combination of overburdened staff and rigid policies has created a dangerous environment. Detainees with serious health conditions often face delays in treatment, and emergency responses are inconsistent. The crisis has led to calls for reform, with advocates urging the Biden administration to address the growing backlog of medical cases and improve oversight. Yet, the current system continues to prioritize efficiency over care, leaving vulnerable individuals at risk.
