ICE Reduces Detention Facility Inspections to Annual or Biennial Schedule

Immigration and Customs Enforcement now inspects most detention facilities once a year or once every two years instead of twice a year. A CBS News analysis of inspection reports found that 15 of 45 facilities holding 500 or more people had not been inspected in over 12 months as of late June, while five had no inspection on record.

The policy change took effect last year. Dedicated ICE facilities receive annual inspections, while non-dedicated facilities such as county jails are inspected every other year. The agency also introduced biennial assisted self-inspections for smaller non-dedicated facilities.

Background on the Shift Congress increased funding after a 2018 DHS watchdog report found prior inspections were not frequent enough. The twice-yearly requirement was set to begin by the end of fiscal year 2021. ICE altered the schedule last year, citing the need to allocate oversight resources based on facility type and operational complexity.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told CBS News that frequency is determined by facility type, detention capacity, and operational function. The spokesperson added that all dedicated ICE facilities are scheduled for inspection in the current fiscal year, which ends September 30.

Since 2019, ICE inspections identified at least one deficiency in nearly 90 percent of cases. Deficiencies included failures to perform suicide checks, improper food storage, and incomplete incident reports. Inspectors have recorded fewer deficiencies per inspection each year since the twice-yearly schedule began.

Dr. Annette Decker, an assistant professor at UCLA's medical school, said frequent reassessments are needed to address deficiencies. Margo Schlanger, former head of civil rights and civil liberties at DHS, stated that more frequent inspections allow facilities to self-review and uncover problems.

The Department of Homeland Security also reduced other oversight offices last year, including the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Anthony Enriquez, who is litigating a case over the dissolution of those offices, said individuals may now face greater risk of medical neglect and abuse.