ICE related deaths in United States 2026
Here is the most recent, verified, and highly valid news on the series of deaths linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) so far in 2026. This report is based on national news coverage and official data up to the latest updates.
The United States has seen a troubling rise in deaths linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related federal enforcement operations in early 2026. These incidents include multiple deaths during immigration enforcement actions and within ICE detention facilities, and they have drawn public outrage, legal scrutiny, and debate over federal immigration policies.
One of the most widely reported incidents involved Renée Good, a 37-year-old unarmed U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Medical evidence and videos released by legal teams show that Good was shot multiple times by the agent, even as she attempted to move away from the scene. The federal government justified the shooting as self-defense, but critics and family lawyers said the evidence contradicted that account, and no criminal charges have been brought against the agent involved. The case has become a focal point of protests and criticism of DHS enforcement tactics.
Another fatal shooting took place in Minneapolis later in January when Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse, was killed by federal immigration officers. Like the Good case, Pretti’s death occurred during a broader federal enforcement operation and has intensified concerns about the use of lethal force by DHS agents.
Deaths are not limited to enforcement actions in the field. In detention facilities, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban national, died on January 3, 2026, while held at an ICE detention camp near El Paso, Texas. A county medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide, finding that asphyxia caused by compression of his neck and torso was the immediate cause. Witness accounts reportedly contradict the initial ICE claim that he died of medical distress.
Official reports and independent trackers indicate that 2025 was the deadliest year for ICE detainees in over two decades, with at least 32 deaths recorded in custody. These deaths were due to a range of causes, including medical issues, alleged neglect, and possible preventable conditions, and they occurred amid a sharp increase in detentions.
Early 2026 has continued that trend. Independent counts and ICE data show that several more people have died in ICE custody just weeks into the new year, with reporting suggesting at least four detainees died in the first days of January. Meanwhile, joint immigration enforcement operations have seen multiple fatal encounters with federal agents.
These deaths have sparked national debate over immigration enforcement practices, the adequacy of medical care in detention facilities, and the use of force by federal officers. Civil rights groups, family members of the deceased, and some public officials have called for independent investigations and stronger accountability measures.
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