ICE Reports 18th Detainee Death in 2026, On Pace for Record High

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported on Friday the 18th death of an individual in its custody in 2026. The agency notified Congress and issued a public press release about the incident. ICE stated that the death puts the agency on track to exceed previous records if the current rate persists.

A 33-year-old man from Cuba died at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, on Tuesday, according to ICE. The agency said Denny Adan Gonzalez was found unresponsive in his cell and that the suspected cause of death was suicide. ICE added that its investigation is ongoing.

Background on the Deceased ICE reported that Gonzalez first entered the U.S. in May 2019 at a port of entry along the Texas border. The agency stated he was deported the following year. ICE said he reentered the country in 2022 and was released by immigration officials.

In December, ICE reported that Gonzalez was arrested by local officials in Charlotte, North Carolina, on charges of assault and domestic violence. The agency stated it took him into custody in January, where he remained until his death.

ICE recorded 31 detainee deaths in 2025, which was the highest in two decades and approached the record of 34 set in 2004. The agency reported that the 2025 death rate was 5.6 per 10,000 detainees, the highest since 2020, based on government data analyzed by CBS News.

Those who died in ICE custody this year include an Afghan refugee who worked with U.S. military forces in Afghanistan and a Mexican teenager, according to ICE. The agency stated that detainees had prior arrests on charges including theft, fraud, and resisting an officer.

The increase in deaths has occurred alongside higher detention numbers under the Trump administration's deportation operations. ICE reported its detention population reached over 70,000 earlier this year and stood at around 60,000 last month. Reports of conditions such as overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and insufficient food have emerged from facilities across the country.

ICE stated it provides comprehensive medical care from arrival and ensures safe, secure, and humane environments. The agency denied allegations of poor conditions in its facilities. In its Friday statement, ICE said it is committed to the well-being of those in custody.