More Immigration Detainee Deaths Disclosed

Source: Wall Street Journal

Ten Previously Unreported Cases Are Discovered, Bringing Total to 104 Since October 2003 and Prompting an Agency Review

AUGUST 18, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Immigration officials said Monday they discovered records of 10 previously unreported deaths of detainees in government custody, prompting a review by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency "to ensure the integrity of ICE's records on detainee deaths."

The new cases involved eight men from Cuba, one from Mexico and one from Ecuador, bringing to 104 the number of people who have died while in ICE custody since October 2003, the agency said.

ICE initially disclosed little information beyond the men's names, nationalities and dates of death, but more data was later released by officials at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the immigration agency. That data showed eight of the men died of natural causes, while another was listed as a suicide. There was no cause of death listed for the final detainee.

Eight of the deaths occurred at facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, including four at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., the data showed. The suicide was at a federal prison facility in Terre Haute, Ind. Two detainees died at a contract facility run by Corrections Corporation of America in Eloy, Ariz.

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