The people dying in ICE custody
Vox • • nation
Key Points:
- Royer Perez-Jimenez, a 19-year-old Mexican detainee, died by presumed suicide in ICE custody, marking at least the 13th death reported in 2026, less than three months into the year.
- Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, an Afghan refugee and US ally, also died recently in ICE custody under unclear circumstances after being arrested while dropping off his children at school.
- ICE deaths in custody have surged in 2026, surpassing totals from 16 previous full years and exceeding three times the number reported at the same point in 2025.
- The ICE detention population has nearly doubled since early 2023, with a significant rise in detainees held solely for immigration violations
