ICE Abuse of Power: Deaths in Custody and Excessive Force

The Department of Homeland Security is facing accusations of falsely claiming that critics assaulted officers during ICE protests and raids. Civil rights advocates and scholars say the government's claims represent troubling indicators of rising authoritarianism.

An ICE detainee died in transit, with reporting revealing confusing and contradictory events surrounding the death of Abelardo Avellaneda Delgado. Experts warned that more deaths are likely as immigration enforcement intensifies.

Two more deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities occurred, marking the 13th migrant death in ICE jails in 2025 and putting the U.S. on track for one of its deadliest years in immigration detention. A 75-year-old Cuban detainee died the previous week.

Trump authorizes ICE agents to protect themselves using 'whatever means necessary' following clashes with protesters during California raids and a shooting incident at a Texas detention center.

Two US citizens describe being jailed during ICE raids in Los Angeles, with one recounting that officers 'came ready to attack.' The detainees, Andrea Velez and Adrian Martinez, recount the effects of their capture on their lives.

The death toll of ICE detainees reached 16 amid concerns over conditions in detention facilities. Additionally, government data showed that immigrants with no criminal record now constitute the largest group in ICE detention at 16,523 people.

A Honduran immigrant, Jose Castro Rivera, age 24, died Thursday morning after running onto a highway and being struck while fleeing from ICE, bringing the death toll from raids to three.

California officials are investigating a second shooting by ICE agents in a week, with an incident involving a vehicle in Ontario occurring as Trump administration officials attempt to escalate deportation operations across the country.

Trump's immigration raids continued through Halloween in Chicago and Los Angeles, with the Evanston mayor claiming ICE agents 'assaulted' residents. The raids coincided with ongoing detention efforts across major U.S. cities.

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino was reprimanded by a judge for false claims that shots were fired at immigration officers during an operation in Chicago. This reprimand came only two days after the same judge called him out for lying about being assaulted by a protester.

A US senator reported that ICE agents used an attack dog to cause 'horrific' injuries to an unresisting man during detention, with allegations that agents lied to lure him outside before the attack. The incident prompted accusations of excessive force during immigration enforcement.

A woman was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an immigration raid in Minnesota. Mayor Jacob Frey disputed the agency's self-defense claim and called for ICE to leave Minneapolis, while Governor Tim Walz mobilized the National Guard.

An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, during an immigration raid in Minneapolis. The FBI took over the case, cutting Minnesota's access to evidence, while the Minneapolis mayor disputed ICE's claim of self-defense.

A woman identified as Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The Trump administration faced criticism for spreading what opponents characterized as misleading claims about the incident, with bodycam footage showing Good stating 'I'm not mad at you' before being shot.

An ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation. The incident has sparked scrutiny over ICE's use of deadly force, and a GoFundMe campaign for her family has raised $1.5 million.

ICE fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, sparking more than a thousand protests across the country. The agency announced it was sending hundreds more agents to Minneapolis for what it described as its largest enforcement operation yet.

Minnesota filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to end the surge of ICE agents in the state, following an incident in which an ICE agent fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.

Six federal prosecutors and four Justice Department civil rights division leaders quit in protest over what they characterized as lack of investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota in response to ongoing ICE protests, one week after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good. The threat represented a potential major escalation in federal authority over domestic unrest.

A medical examiner found that detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos died of asphyxiation at an ICE detention camp in Texas, raising the possibility his death could be investigated as a homicide.

A second man died at a Texas Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility within two weeks, with ICE officials characterizing the death as a 'presumed suicide.' Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem backtracked on earlier denials that ICE pepper-sprayed protesters during church disruptions in Minneapolis.

US citizens and legal residents report an increase in racial profiling by ICE during Trump's immigration crackdown, with some taking drastic measures to ensure their safety. A five-year-old boy was detained along with his father in Minnesota and flown to Texas, prompting Democratic condemnation.

A second U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, was fatally shot by federal ICE agents in Minneapolis within three weeks, prompting calls for investigation and accountability. Trump administration officials continued to make statements about the incident that contradicted video evidence from the scene, while the White House appeared to distance itself from the operation.

The White House scaled back federal presence in Minneapolis following intense backlash over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents during ICE operations. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was reassigned from his Minneapolis post, and Trump signaled the administration may reduce the surge of ICE agents in the state.

Two ICE agents were placed on leave following the second fatal shooting during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The shooting of Alex Pretti has sparked widespread backlash and calls for the resignation of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, though Trump has indicated he will not fire her.

New videos emerged showing an altercation between Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti and federal officers 11 days before he was killed by federal agents during an ICE operation.

The Department of Justice opened a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, with the Deputy Attorney General making the announcement as fierce protests continued in the city. The incident became a focal point amid Trump administration immigration enforcement operations.

ICE faced declining approval ratings following a fatal shooting, with polling showing a majority of respondents calling for the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

A federal judge ordered the US to provide ICE detainees at a California facility with medical care, attorneys, and blankets after seven people alleged they were denied medications, food, and sanitation.

An ICE shooting video in Minneapolis has shattered the agency's account of events, causing legal cases against two Venezuelan men to collapse. Questions remain about whether the incident will lead to accountability within the agency.

County officials in Minnesota are investigating an ICE detention of a US citizen as a possible kidnapping and false arrest, reviewing whether a warrantless raid by ICE and forced transport of a St. Paul resident violated the law.

A federal immigration agent was charged with assault and criminal mischief in Colorado after video showed Nicholas Rice grabbing a woman by the hair, placing her in a chokehold, and shoving her to the ground.

An ICE agent was arrested in Minnesota over the shooting of a Venezuelan man, with Christian Castro charged with assault and falsely reporting a crime after video evidence of the non-fatal January shooting was released.

Immigrant detainees across at least 33 states alleged in court documents that the government is failing to provide adequate medical care, with the Associated Press and KFF Health News finding systematic medical neglect in ICE detention facilities.

ICE issued a memo ordering the agency to stop reporting deaths of newly released detainees, rescinding a Biden-era policy that required investigation and reporting of such deaths.

An Afghan national died while in ICE immigration detention after suffering a severe allergic reaction. ICE agents had rejected his wife's attempt to give them his asthma inhaler when he was taken into custody, raising serious concerns about medical neglect in detention facilities under the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.

A federal judge convicted former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan of obstructing ICE agents but sentenced her to no prison time and only a $5,000 fine. Dugan had ushered an undocumented immigrant out a courtroom side door to avoid federal immigration agents.

An ICE agent fatally shot a Mexican immigrant, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, during a traffic stop in Houston—marking at least the eighth death during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign. The family demanded an independent investigation, disputing DHS claims that Salgado attempted to ram a federal vehicle.

Mexico announced it will file criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths of Mexican nationals in ICE custody and during immigration enforcement operations, escalating its response to the deaths including the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on July 8.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced her government will file criminal complaints in the U.S. over the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals in ICE custody. This follows the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents in Houston.

An ICE agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican immigrant who had lived in the U.S. for 35 years, in Houston. DHS admitted Salgado was not the intended target of the operation. Witnesses dispute the government's claim that he 'weaponized' his vehicle, and ICE is reportedly pressuring witnesses to self-deport.

ICE fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican national, during a street arrest operation in Houston; witnesses disputed ICE's account of events, and investigations revealed the victim was not the intended target but 'resembled' the actual subject based on appearance alone, sparking nationwide demands for accountability.

ICE agents fatally shot a man in Houston during an immigration enforcement operation, sparking protests in San Antonio with approximately 100 people gathering near City Hall to demonstrate against the killing.

A federal immigration agent fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine, during an enforcement operation. The shooting occurred less than a week after an ICE agent shot a man in Houston. Witnesses and a state senator reported that the victim may not have been the target of the operation and reportedly said 'I tried to stop,' raising questions about the shooting's justification.

ICE halts most vehicle stops after fatal shootings of two immigrants in less than a week: Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas. Mexico files criminal complaints over deaths of 17 nationals in ICE custody.

ICE agents fatally shot two men—Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas—in separate traffic stops within a week. Trump ordered ICE to continue traffic stops despite the deadly incidents and a temporary halt by DHS officials.

ICE fatally shot two men in Texas and Maine during vehicle stops, bringing the death toll from ICE operations in recent weeks to at least three. The Maine agent involved was identified as a former police officer with an abusive history. Body cameras were not activated during the incidents.

An ICE agent in Maine fatally shot Colombian immigrant Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. Reports revealed the officer, David Brouillette, had a history of violent behavior, mental health issues, and alleged domestic abuse according to ex-wives. An ICE detention center employee in Colorado was arrested for shooting a protester outside an Aurora detention facility. Democrats called for investigations into ICE hiring and training practices.

A New York Times investigation found that the Trump administration has lost or abandoned hundreds of criminal cases against protesters and immigrants accused of assaulting ICE agents, with prosecutors withdrawing charges or judges dismissing them due to weak evidence or contradictory testimony.

An employee of the GEO Group operating an ICE detention center in Colorado was arrested after allegedly shooting a female protester outside the facility. The incident comes amid a pattern of documented violence and excessive force by ICE agents and detention facility staff.

Video evidence has undermined government narratives in multiple ICE cases: an Australian man was forcibly restrained by ICE agents at Las Vegas airport despite overstaying his visa by only a brief period; a Venezuelan delivery driver was arrested on attempted murder charges that appear unsupported by bystander video; and an ICE officer fired on a fleeing SUV in Pennsylvania in a manner policing experts say violates proper protocols.

The DHS announced a nationwide body camera mandate for ICE agents following fatal shootings in Texas and Maine and escalating assault incidents. The decision comes amid mounting criticism of ICE violence and excessive force against detainees and the public.

The New York Times reported that FBI agents received written guidance stating the FBI will no longer investigate confrontations between ICE agents and protesters or subjects of immigration enforcement. Federal officials denied the change in policy, but the reported directive fuels concerns about oversight of federal immigration enforcement amid recent fatal shootings.

Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, announced that ICE officers will be required to wear body cameras during vehicle stops. The announcement comes amid scrutiny following two fatal ICE shootings within six days and calls for greater accountability in immigration enforcement operations.

The Trump administration announced plans to purchase two ICE detention centers in California despite opposition from Democratic state leaders, revealing a strategy to expand immigration detention capacity. Simultaneously, more than 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children risk losing legal representation after federal funding cuts to legal services programs.

Two witnesses told a federal court that an ICE agent who fatally shot a Mexican man, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, in Houston on July 7 was in no immediate danger and that the driver's vehicle was parked. Additionally, a judge blocked ICE's attempt to hastily deport witnesses to the fatal shooting, citing concerns about witness intimidation.

Multiple ICE arrests continued across the U.S., including the detention of Ukrainian woman Iryna Gorb at San Francisco Airport, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant of Jamaican origin in Nashville, and a British-born man with U.S. citizen children during a green card interview. A Georgetown scholar detained for pro-Palestinian speech won his appeal and was released on bail.

Border Czar Tom Homan admitted on CNN that an ICE officer involved in a deadly shooting in Maine should not have 'cleared vetting' due to prior allegations of abuse from two ex-wives. The admission raised questions about the Trump administration's vetting procedures for federal agents.

ICE agents conducting enforcement operations in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan allegedly pepper-sprayed three residents, including a woman who was filming the operation and two others who were subsequently sprayed. The incident occurred after someone slashed the tire of an ICE vehicle during the operation, and was captured on video that circulated widely on social media. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams condemned the actions, saying Trump had 'sent his minions to try to intimidate New Yorkers, tear families apart, and flaunt our laws — apparently pepper-spraying a protester exercising their right to record.' Residents organized a community rally in response.

A Johns Hopkins University researcher from Cameroon was detained by ICE at an airport while on a Fulbright scholarship and held in detention across multiple states before being released. The incident is one of at least a dozen ICE arrests at area airports.

The ACLU launched a nationwide legal challenge documenting alleged patterns of excessive force, unlawful arrests, and abuse by ICE agents during immigration enforcement operations.

A family is suing after Daphy Michel, a Haitian immigrant with mental illness, was released by ICE in 20-degree weather wearing only summer clothes and subsequently froze to death in a Pittsburgh bus shelter.

A second detainee died while in ICE custody at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, an El Salvadoran man, allegedly had an extensive medical history including epilepsy and complained of numbness in his face and hands before his death. His family alleges he was denied needed medication.

ICE used court orders to force-feed at least 10 hunger-striking detainees, with court records revealing procedures that included involuntary feeding, intravenous forced hydration, and involuntary blood draws. Legal experts and civil rights advocates characterized the practices as torture and a violation of medical ethics.

A second immigrant, 41-year-old Edwin Lopez-Cornejo from El Salvador, died in ICE custody at Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. His family claims medical negligence was responsible, and the facility is now under scrutiny for the second death in eight months.

ICE is now tracking nearly 54,000 immigrants via ankle monitors, a shift in monitoring methods that has generated substantial revenue for Geo Group, a private prison firm that manufactures the devices.

A Georgia ICE operation netted over 1,200 immigration arrests, with DHS stating 720 individuals had criminal histories including sex offenses and child abuse. The operation, called 'Operation Safe Community,' occurred in Atlanta.

New polling shows a significant shift in public opinion against ICE immigration enforcement, with only a fraction of independent voters supporting the agency's enforcement operations amid ongoing controversies over use of force and wrongful detentions.

The Trump administration announced plans to purchase up to $20 million in electric shock gloves for ICE officers, described as a 'de-escalation device' by the Department of Homeland Security. Critics warned the gloves could encourage excessive force and leave no marks.

The Trump administration announced plans to equip Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers with electric shock gloves capable of delivering painful shocks to detainees, with White House border czar Tom Homan defending the devices as alternatives to lethal force.

A third detainee at Newark's Delaney Hall immigration detention facility died after experiencing a seizure while in custody. Jose Chajon-Raxon was hospitalized and later released from custody before his death, raising concerns about medical care at ICE facilities.

Federal documents revealed a sweeping undercover surveillance operation by Homeland Security Investigations in Minnesota targeting progressive organizations, labor unions, and groups protesting the Minneapolis ICE crackdown. The operation was launched days after ICE fatally shot Alex Pretti.

The Justice Department dismissed a threats case against a Minnesota man days before trial, adding to dozens of cases in the deportation efforts that have unraveled due to inability to prove charges.

A journalist covering immigration enforcement was shot and detained by ICE, having been held for nearly 300 days with a festering wound. The case represents the longest detention of a journalist in U.S. history and highlights concerns about ICE abuse during the mass deportation campaign.

A self-identified MAGA patriot and Trump supporter publicly turned against the president after his wife was handcuffed and detained by ICE at an airport, illustrating fractures in Trump's base over immigration enforcement operations.

An immigrant at an airport was detained by ICE despite having an active immigration case and no criminal history, representing a new enforcement tactic targeting people in the immigration system. The case exemplifies the expansion of Trump's mass deportation campaign.

The first group of approximately 1,200 deportees began arriving in Liberia as part of Trump's expanding third-country deportation scheme. A separate incident saw ICE arrest the captain of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor, killing a mother and infant daughter, with DHS alleging he illegally entered the U.S. from El Salvador.

Federal immigration agents detaiined the father of a US Navy sailor deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln while his son was nine months into deployment in the Middle East during the Iran war. The detention raised concerns about ICE enforcement priorities amid military deployments.

U.S. immigration agents arrested more than 49,500 people in July 2026, representing a 15% increase from June and the highest monthly total of Trump's second term, reflecting intensified enforcement operations.

A federal judge declined Minnesota's effort to force Texas to extradite ICE agent Christian Castro, who faces charges for shooting a Venezuelan immigrant during an immigration raid in Minneapolis.

An ICE agent charged with shooting an unarmed immigrant in Minneapolis was released from a Texas jail after a judge refused to extradite him to Minnesota. Christian Castro, accused of assault and falsely reporting the crime, walked free amid concerns about federal law enforcement accountability during the immigration crackdown.

An Afghan national granted protection in the U.S. was deported to the war-torn Central African Republic, part of dozens of deportations to nations where individuals have no ties, according to reports of ICE overreach.

A 25-year-old US citizen born in Denver, Brian José Morales García, was allowed to return to the United States after being deported to Mexico in April following a traffic stop in Central Texas. Despite presenting his birth certificate and Social Security card, DHS deported him anyway, disputing his citizenship. His lawyers secured his return by submitting additional hospital records and a certified Colorado birth record as part of an ongoing lawsuit; his attorney warned the case demonstrates the federal government is "willing to racially profile, detain and deport US citizens."