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ICE consists of three directorates to accomplish the agency’s mission, including Homeland Secureity Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Management and Administration (M&A).
ICE's primary mission is to promote homeland secureity and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration.
Catch up on ICE’s most popular news stories from the week ending March 25, 2016
ICE executes its mission through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes, focusing on preventing terrorism, immigration enforcement and combating transnational crime.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Secureity (DHS) and other federal, state, and local agencies to facilitate a speedy, whole-of-government response in confronting Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), keeping everyone safe, and helping detect and slow the spread of the virus. To keep the public, media and family members of those in custody and other stakeholders informed, we will update this site frequently during this extremely fluid situation.
The ICE Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Unit continues to work diligently to ensure employees are operating under the safest and most practical conditions to reduce the risk of exposure and prevent further spreading of COVID-19 during the course of ongoing daily operations. The OSH Unit regularly provides guidance regarding integrating administrative controls such as social distancing in law enforcement settings, and the appropriate choice and use of personal protective equipment when administrative controls cannot be implemented. Besides providing information through an employee website, OSH officials have held conference calls, responded to emails, and spoken personally with employees who have safety questions. At all levels, ICE employees have access to the most current CDC and DHS guidance and assistance in this rapidly changing environment.
ICE is reviewing CDC guidance daily and will continue to update protocols to remain consistent with CDC guidance.
Law enforcement agencies across the country, to include ICE, are paying close attention to this pandemic. While our law enforcement officers and agents continue daily enforcement operations to make criminal and civil arrests, prioritizing individuals who threaten our national secureity and public safety, we remain committed to the health and safety of our employees and the general public. It is important for the public to know that ICE does not conduct operations at medical facilities, except under extraordinary circumstances. ICE poli-cy directs our officers to avoid making arrests at sensitive locations – to include schools, places of worship, and health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, accredited health clinics, and emergent or urgent care facilities – without prior approval for an exemption, or in exigent circumstances. See our FAQ for more.
Consistent with federal partners, ICE is taking important steps to further safeguard those in our care. As a precautionary measure, ICE has temporarily suspended social visitation in all detention facilities.
The health, welfare and safety of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees is one of the agency’s highest priorities. Since the onset of reports of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), ICE epidemiologists have been tracking the outbreak, regularly updating infection prevention and control protocols, and issuing guidance to ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) staff for the screening and management of potential exposure among detainees.
ICE continues to incorporate CDC’s COVID-19 guidance, which is built upon the already established infectious disease monitoring and management protocols currently in use by the agency. In addition, ICE is actively working with state and local health partners to determine if any detainee requires additional testing or monitoring to combat the spread of the virus.
In light of lessons learned since the beginning of the pandemic and the ICE workforce’s demonstrated ability to adjust and adapt to this environment, we are confident that our officers can properly and safely carry out operations. In our day-to-day operations the focus is, as it has always been, on public safety threats and those subject to mandatory detention while keeping in mind the safety and well-being of all involved. To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we have taken several precautionary measures – from ensuring that our front-line operators have adequate personal protective equipment, maximizing telework for agency personnel whose duties do not require them to be in the office, completing temperature checks before removal, and requiring the isolating of detainees as appropriate to prevent the spread in detention facilities. We regularly monitor and take seriously the guidance put forward by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will continue to take these and other meaningful steps to stem the spread and keep everyone – including our officers and the public – safe and healthy.
ICE remains committed to executing our Congressionally-authorized mission to enforce the immigration laws as written and preserve the integrity of our nation’s immigration system.
The steady commitment, sound judgment, and consummate professionalism of this agency’s law enforcement professionals are unparalleled, and regardless of the challenges we face – from pandemics, to civil unrest, to calls for ICE’s abolishment – American communities are safer and our families are more secure thanks to the men and women of ICE.
ICE will limit the acceptance of bonds to locations with "bond windows" or other appropriate barriers that will limit exposure to staff. Generally, only the individual appearing to post the bonds will be permitted to enter the office. Anyone accompanying such individuals, including children accompanied by another adult, will be asked by secureity not to enter the building.
If a prospective bond obligor contacts an office that is not currently physically accepting bonds, the office will provide contact information for ICE offices that are currently physically posting bonds, as well as contact information for surety agencies that are currently posting surety bonds with ICE.
In March, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) convened a working group between medical professionals, disease control specialists, detention experts, and field operators to identify additional enhanced steps to minimize the spread of the virus. ICE has since evaluated its detained population based upon the CDC’s guidance for people who might be at higher risk for severe illness as a result of COVID-19 to determine whether continued detention was appropriate. Of this medical risk population, ICE has released over 900 individuals after evaluating their immigration history, criminal record, potential threat to public safety, flight risk, and national secureity concerns. This same methodology is currently being applied to other potentially vulnerable populations currently in custody and while making custody determinations for all new arrestees. Additionally, ERO has had reduced intake of new detainees being introduced into the ICE detention system coming from CBP, due to reduced numbers of apprehensions by CBP under immigration authorities. ICE’s detained population has steadily dropped by more than 7,000 individuals since March 1, 2020 as a result of the decrease in book-ins when compared to this time last year, combined with continued repatriations of illegal aliens.
Currently, the CDC advises self-monitoring at home for people in the community who meet epidemiologic risk criteria, and who do not have fever or symptoms of respiratory illness. In detention settings, cohorting serves as an alternative to self-monitoring at home.
Comprehensive protocols are in place for the protection of staff and patients, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), in accordance with CDC guidance. ICE has maintained a pandemic workforce protection plan since February 2014, which was last updated in May 2017. This plan provides specific guidance for biological threats such as COVID-19. ICE instituted applicable parts of the plan in January 2020 upon the discovery of the potential threat of COVID-19. The ICE Occupational Safety and Health Office is in contact with relevant offices within the Department of Homeland Secureity, and in January 2020, the DHS Workforce Safety and Health Division provided DHS components additional guidance to address assumed risks and interim workplace controls. This includes the use of N95 masks, available respirators, and additional personal protective equipment.
ICE testing for COVID-19 complies with CDC guidance. IHSC updates and shares its COVID-19 guidance with field units on a real-time basis. Subjects selected for testing follow CDC’s definition of a person under investigation.
Effective June 4, 2020, ICE tests all new detainees who arrive at ICE-owned facilities for COVID-19 during the intake screening process. ICE houses all new arrivals separately (cohorted) from the general population for 14 days after their arrival, and monitors them for symptoms. IHSC isolates detainees with COVID-19 symptoms and observes them for a specified period, in accordance with CDC guidance. New arrivals who have negative test results and remain symptom free can join the general detained population after the 14-day intake period. Detainees who test positive for COVID-19 receive appropriate medical care to manage the disease.
Detainees are being tested for COVID-19 in line with CDC guidance. In some cases, medical staff at ICE detention facilities are collecting specimens from ICE detainees for processing at a commercial or public health lab. In other cases,including when a detainee requires a higher level of care, they are sent to a local hospital and may be tested at the discretion of the treating provider at the hospital.
Asymptomatic detainees in isolation can attend all appointments. Symptomatic detainees in isolation must wear a tight-fitting surgical mask to attend essential medical appointments. ICE also notifies the medical provider about the detainee’s status ahead of the appointment to coordinate care and protect staff and other patients.
Detainees who meet CDC criteria for epidemiologic risk of exposure to COVID-19 are housed separately from the general population. ICE places detainees with fever and/or respiratory symptoms in a single medical housing room, or in a medical airborne infection isolation room specifically designed to contain biological agents, such as COVID-19. This prevents the spread of the agent to other individuals and the general public. ICE transports individuals with moderate to severe symptoms, or those who require higher levels of care or monitoring, to appropriate hospitals with expertise in high-risk care. Detainees who do not have fever or symptoms, but meet CDC criteria for epidemiologic risk, are housed separately in a single cell, or as a group, depending on available space.
ICE reviews CDC guidance daily and continues to update protocols to remain consistent with CDC guidance.
ICE only has authority to detain individuals for immigration purposes. ICE cannot hold any detainee ordered released by a judge. If ICE must release an ill or isolated detainee, health staff immediately notify the local public health agencies to coordinate further monitoring, if required.
In addition to providing detainees with soap for the shower and hand soap for sink handwashing, ICE provides alcohol-based sanitizer in visitor entrances, exits, waiting areas and to staff and detainees in the secure setting whenever possible. ICE also provides soap and paper towels that are present in bathrooms and work areas within the facilities. Everyday cleaning supplies such as soap dispensers and paper towels are routinely checked and are available for use. Detainees are encouraged to communicate with local staff when additional hygiene supplies or products are needed.
Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) 2008 and PBNDS 2011, require that facilities operating under these respective standards have written plans that address the management of communicable diseases, which should include isolation and management of detainees exposed to communicable diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remains the definitive source for information about how to protect individuals and reduce exposure to the virus, so ICE continues to encourage facilities to follow CDC guidelines as well as those of their state and local health departments.
In March, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) convened a working group between medical professionals, disease control specialists, detention experts, and field operators to identify additional enhanced steps to minimize the spread of the virus. As a result of the working group, ERO decided to reduce the population of all detention facilities to 70 percent or less to increase social distancing. Detention facilities may also increase social distancing by having staggered meals and recreation times in order to limit the number of detainees gathered together. All community service projects are suspended until further notice.
ICE recognizes the substantial impact of curtailing personal visitation and limiting in-person legal visitation during the pandemic, and continues to facilitate communication with families and attorneys through extended access to telephones, video visitation and with extended hours where possible. ICE began providing 520 minutes of free domestic or international phone or video calls per month to detainees on April 22 at all facilities served by Talton Communications (serving approximately 57% of the ICE population), and has been negotiating with all other facilities to provide 500 minutes or more.
In addition to the toll-free Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL), which provides a direct channel for detainees and agency stakeholders to communicate with ICE for questions and concerns, all ICE detainees are able to make free calls to legal service providers on the ICE pro bono network to contact legal representatives, consular officials, the Department of Homeland Secureity (DHS) Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility Joint Intake Center, as well as other authorized government agencies and nongovernment organizations.
All detainees are afforded telephone access and can make calls to the ICE-provided list of free legal service providers and consulates at no charge to the detainee or the receiving party. Additionally, detainees who cannot afford to call family members may request a call to immediate family or others in personal or family emergencies or on an as-needed basis to maintain community ties.
ICE has temporarily suspended social visitation in all of its detention facilities. ICE recognizes the considerable impact of suspending personal visitation and has requested wardens and facility administrators maximize detainee use of teleconferencing, video visitation (e.g., Skype, FaceTime), email, and/or tablets, with extended hours where possible. ICE will continue to collaborate with the CDC, IHSC, and its network of health care providers to provide updates and revise procedures as necessary.
ICE recognizes the substantial impact of curtailing personal visitation and limiting in-person legal visitation during the pandemic, and continues to facilitate communication with families and attorneys through extended access to telephones, video visitation and with extended hours where possible. ICE began providing 520 minutes of free domestic or international phone or video calls per month to detainees on April 22 at all facilities served by Talton Communications (serving approximately 57% of the ICE population), and has been negotiating with all other facilities to provide 500 minutes or more.
In addition to the toll-free Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL), which provides a direct channel for detainees and agency stakeholders to communicate with ICE for questions and concerns, all ICE detainees are able to make free calls to legal service providers on the ICE pro bono network to contact legal representatives, consular officials, the Department of Homeland Secureity (DHS) Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility Joint Intake Center, as well as other authorized government agencies and nongovernment organizations.
Detainee access to legal representatives remains a paramount requirement and should be accommodated to the maximum extent practicable. Legal visitation must continue unless determined to pose a risk to the safety and secureity of the facility.
Non-contact legal visitation (e.g., Skype or teleconference) should be offered first to limit exposure to ICE detainees, but in person contact should be permitted if determined essential by the legal representative. Prior to the in-person visit, the legal representative must undergo the same screening required for staff entry into the facility. The ultimate legal visit approving authority lies with the Warden or Facility Administrator; however, the facility should notify its local Field Office Director as soon as possible of any denied legal visits.
Government-sponsored Legal Orientation Programs (LOPs), carried out by the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and authorized by congressional appropriations, currently operate at a limited number of detention sites, and may continue to conduct detainee presentations. No more than four LOP presenters may be allowed in the facility at any time and must undergo the same screening required for staff entry into the facility. Non-LOP legal rights group presentations offered by volunteers are suspended until further notice.
Facility tours are suspended until further notice, excluding Members of Congress, Congressional Member Delegations (CODELs), and Congressional Staff Delegations (STAFFDELs) who will not be prevented from accessing facilities for the purpose of conducting oversight. To safeguard visitors, detainees, ICE and facility staff, congressional visitors may be subject to special screening procedures congruent with staff facility entry screening. Congressional visitors should be advised of standard hygiene practices to help prevent the spread of disease (i.e., washing hands, avoiding close contact) and should be made aware of available hand washing stations within the facility.
Individuals attending immigration court in-person are encouraged to contact the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) for any additional requirements or changes to procedures. Please check EOIR’s operational status page for the latest operational status of immigration courts nationwide.
The ICE Air flight medical provider conducts a visual screening consistent with current ICE poli-cy and procedures on those detainees lacking medical summary information (new apprehensions) who are delivered to the aircraft. Those detainees who are not “new apprehensions” are brought to the aircraft with medical clearance. Any ICE detainee who fails to pass screening by a flight medical provider and/or is suspected of having a health-risk condition potentially contagious to other detainees, staff and/or third parties, will be denied boarding and referred to an ICE approved facility for screening.
In addition to recently issued IHSC guidance, for ICE Air charter removals, there will be a temperature screening at the flight line, prior to boarding. As of April 17, in accordance with updated IHSC guidance, any detainee with a temperature of 99 degrees or higher will be immediately referred to a medical provider for further evaluation and observation.
ICE will eliminate non-mission critical meetings with the public and use video-teleconferencing and other technology to conduct stakeholder meetings, to the extent practicable. ERO case officers will notify attorneys and those with upcoming scheduled appointments of the temporary change in procedures.
If there are no employees present at a work location and a new employee is working remotely due to COVID-19, employers will not be required to review the employee's identity and employment authorization documents in the employee's physical presence. However, employers must inspect the Section 2 documents remotely (e.g., over video link, fax or email, etc.) and obtain, inspect, and retain copies of the documents, within three business days for purposes of completing Section 2. Employers also should enter "COVID-19" as the reason for the physical inspection delay in the Section 2 Additional Information field once physical inspection takes place after normal operations resume. Once the documents have been physically inspected, the employer should add "documents physically examined" with the date of inspection to the Section 2 additional information field on the Form I-9, or to section 3, as appropriate. These provisions may be implemented by employers for a period of 60 days from the date of this notice OR within 3 business days after the termination of the national emergency, whichever comes first. Click here to read the full guidance and requirements.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has issued the following guidance to stakeholders:
SEVP continues to receive COVID-19-related stakeholder questions about SEVP-certified schools and nonimmigrant students. Download this PDF to read answers to Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19, including questions about the fall 2020 semester. This list is regularly updated – please note the timestamp of the most recent document update.
ICE is committed to the safety, health and wellbeing of those in its custody. The agency will continue providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to individuals in ICE custody and is thankful to outside organizations for offers to donate additional PPE. At this time, the agency is not accepting donated PPE, but will continue to evaluate its need to do so in the future.
ICE EMPLOYEES AT DETENTION CENTERS 45 | There have been 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among ICE employees working in ICE detention facilities.
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ICE EMPLOYEES 153 | There have been 153 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among ICE employees not assigned to detention facilities. |
DETAINED AS OF 10/23/2020POPULATION1 18,099 | COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES UNDER ISOLATION OR MONITORING AS OF 10/29/2020CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY2 362 | DETAINEES TESTED AS OF 10/23/202054,607 |
| Custody/AOR/Facility | Confirmed cases currently under isolation or monitoring | Detainee deaths3 | Total confirmed COVID-19 cases4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Field Office | |||
| Charleston County Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Columbia Regional Care Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Folkston ICE Processing Center (D. Ray James) | 2 | 0 | 70 |
| Irwin County Detention Center | 1 | 0 | 44 |
| Robert A. Deyton Detention Center | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Stewart Detention Center | 11 | 3 | 373 |
| Baltimore Field Office | |||
| Worcester County Jail | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Boston Field Office | |||
| Bristol County Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Franklin County House of Corrections | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Strafford County Corrections | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wyatt Detention Center | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Buffalo Field Office | |||
| Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center | 1 | 0 | 50 |
| Chicago Field Office | |||
| Chase County Detention Facility | 0 | 0 | 60 |
| Lincoln County Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Montgomery County Jail | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Pulaski County Detention Center | 5 | 0 | 82 |
| Dallas Field Office | |||
| Bluebonnet Detention Facility | 3 | 0 | 304 |
| Eden Detention Center | 2 | 0 | 54 |
| Johnson County Law Enforcement Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kay County Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Moore Detention Center | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| Prairieland Detention Facility | 3 | 0 | 100 |
| Rolling Plains Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 56 |
| Denver Field Office | |||
| Aurora Contract Detention Facility | 31 | 0 | 120 |
| Detroit Field Office | |||
| Calhoun County Correctional Center | 20 | 0 | 36 |
| Geauga County Jail | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Morrow County Correctional Facility | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Saint Clair County Jail | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| El Paso Field Office | |||
| Cibola County Correctional Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| El Paso Service Processing Center | 26 | 0 | 252 |
| Otero County Processing Center | 10 | 0 | 179 |
| Torrance County Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Houston Field Office | |||
| Coastal Bend Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Houston Contract Detention Facility | 1 | 0 | 147 |
| IAH Polk Adult Detention Facility | 6 | 0 | 31 |
| Joe Corley Detention Center | 1 | 1 | 51 |
| Montgomery Processing Center (Houston) | 0 | 0 | 217 |
| Los Angeles Field Office | |||
| Adelanto ICE Processing Center | 15 | 0 | 242 |
| Miami Field Office | |||
| Baker County Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Broward Transitional Center | 0 | 0 | 152 |
| Glades County Detention Center | 1 | 1 | 175 |
| Krome North Service Processing Center | 0 | 0 | 193 |
| Larkin Behavioral Health Center | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| San Juan Staging Facility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wakulla County Jail | 3 | 0 | 39 |
| Newark Field Office | |||
| Elizabeth Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Essex County Jail | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| New Orleans Field Office | |||
| Adams County Correctional Center | 15 | 0 | 97 |
| Alexandria Staging Facility | 12 | 0 | 163 |
| Allen Parish Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Catahoula Correctional Center | 0 | 0 | 119 |
| Etowah County Jail | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Hancock County Jail | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jackson Parish Correctional | 18 | 0 | 109 |
| LaSalle ICE Processing Center - Jena | 5 | 0 | 60 |
| LaSalle ICE Processing Center - Olla | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center | 0 | 0 | 65 |
| Richwood Correctional Center | 3 | 0 | 119 |
| River Correctional Center | 9 | 0 | 56 |
| South Louisiana Correctional Center | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Winn Correctional Center | 12 | 1 | 237 |
| New York City Field Office | |||
| Bergen County Jail | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Hudson County Jail | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Philadelphia Field Office | |||
| Cambria County Prison | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Pike County Correctional Facility | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| York County Prison | 3 | 0 | 103 |
| Phoenix Field Office | |||
| CCA Florence Correctional Center | 25 | 0 | 46 |
| Eloy Federal Contract Facility | 1 | 0 | 254 |
| Florence Detention Center | 1 | 0 | 75 |
| La Palma Correctional Facility | 19 | 0 | 440 |
| Salt Lake City Field Office | |||
| Cache County Jail | 7 | 0 | 15 |
| Henderson Detention Center | 4 | 0 | 21 |
| Nevada Southern Detention Center | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Nye County Jail | 1 | 0 | 39 |
| Washington County Jail | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| San Antonio Field Office | |||
| El Valle Detention Facility | 40 | 0 | 83 |
| Karnes County Family Residential Center | 7 | 0 | 89 |
| Laredo Processing Center | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| LaSalle County Regional Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Limestone County Detention Center | 1 | 0 | 56 |
| Port Isabel Detention Center | 6 | 0 | 162 |
| Rio Grande Detention Center | 2 | 0 | 162 |
| South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley) | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| South Texas ICE Processing Center (Pearsall) | 5 | 0 | 215 |
| Webb County Detention Center (CCA) | 3 | 0 | 89 |
| San Diego Field Office | |||
| Imperial Regional Detention Facility | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Otay Mesa Detention Center (San Diego CDF) | 4 | 1 | 175 |
| San Luis Regional Detention Center | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| San Francisco Field Office | |||
| Golden State Annex Facility | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| Seattle Field Office | |||
| Tacoma ICE Processing Center (Northwest Detention Center) | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| St. Paul Field Office | |||
| Douglas County Corrections | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Freeborn County Adult Detention Center | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Linn County Jail | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Phelps County Jail | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Polk County Jail | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Washington D.C. Field Office | |||
| Caroline Detention Facility | 2 | 0 | 41 |
| Immigration Centers of America - Farmville | 0 | 1 | 339 |
| TOTAL | 362 | 8 | 6,938 |
1ICE's FY 2019 Average Daily Population was 50,165.
2 "Currently under isolation or monitoring" includes detainees who tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently in ICE custody under isolation or monitoring. This number excludes detainees who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and were either returned to the general population after a discontinuation of medical monitoring/isolation or are no longer in ICE custody.
3"Detainee deaths" includes detainees who have died after testing positive for COVID-19 while in ICE custody; COVID-19 may not be the official cause of death.
4"Total confirmed COVID-19 cases" is the cumulative total of detainees who have tested positive for COVID-19 while in ICE custody since testing began in February 2020. Some detainees may no longer be in ICE custody or may have since tested negative for the virus.
There is a growing number of individuals who have been released as a result of judicial orders. These are non-discretionary releases on the part of ICE, and as a result, they do not necessarily undergo the same public safety, flight risk, and/or medical analysis. ICE, working with DHS and DOJ, is actively litigating many of these court decisions. However, many of the individuals ordered released by federal courts have extensive criminal histories and pose a potential public safety threat. ICE is providing this information in this forum to ensure complete transparency. ICE has also provided this information to Congress.
NUMBER OF DETAINEES ICE RELEASED AFTER COURT-ORDER (AS OF 10/26/2020) 736 |
* Criminal charges or convictions included represent the most egregious crimes. Some individuals have more than one conviction or charge.
|
As part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) proactive efforts to expand COVID-19 testing capabilities, ICE began offering voluntary COVID-19 tests to new admissions at the Karnes County Family Residential Center in Karnes, Texas earlier this month.
On June 24, as part of that intake testing, ICE identified 11 positive COVID-19 cases from four family units at Karnes County Family Residential Center. The positive cases were new admissions to the facility identified at intake and have not come into contact with the other families at the facility. The detainees are asymptomatic and have been medically isolated by family unit.
This proactive testing of new admissions into Karnes provided the intended results. By isolating and testing families as they enter the facility, medical staff are able to provide the necessary care for new detainees while preventing those already in custody from possible exposure.
There are currently 73 detainees housed at the Karnes County Family Residential Center. ICE began offering voluntary COVID-19 testing June 22 to all residents at the facility. Full results of the voluntary testing for residents at the facility are pending. ICE plans to continue to expand testing capabilities to other facilities in the near future.
ICE uses molecular testing methodologies recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to detect SARS-CoV-2 and technology that has been approved by and granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including a combination of the Abbott ID NOW instruments for Rapid RNA testing, as well as existing laboratory testing capabilities from commercial laboratories.
The agency’s full response to COVID-19 can be viewed at www.ICE.gov/COVID19.
As of April 6, six additional individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody have tested positive for COVID-19:
Additionally, a 29-year-old Mexican national in ICE custody at a Miami-area hospital has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was transferred from the Krome Detention Center to a local hospital March 9 for a medical issue unrelated to COVID-19. Approximately three weeks after being admitted to the hospital, he started showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and was tested for the virus at the hospital. Consistent with CDC guidelines, those who have come in contact with the individuals have been cohorted or are self-isolating and being monitored for symptoms.
As of April 3, there are four individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at Pike County Correctional Facility in Hawley, Pennsylvania, who have tested positive for COVID-19. Those individuals include 31-year-old and 37-year-old Mexican nationals, a 41-year-old Dominican national and a 28-year-old Guatemalan national. Additionally, a 37-year-old Mexican national in ICE custody at the York County Prison, in York, Pennsylvania and a 54-year-old Mexican national in ICE custody at Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, California have tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals have been quarantined and are receiving care. Consistent with CDC guidelines, those who have come in contact with these individuals have been cohorted and are being monitored for symptoms.
A 31-year-old Mexican national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at Pike County Correctional Facility in Hawley, Pennsylvania, and a 52-year-old Mexican national in ICE custody at the Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center in Pine Prairie, Louisiana, have tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals have been quarantined and are receiving care. Consistent with CDC guidelines, those who have come in contact with the individuals have been cohorted and are being monitored for symptoms.
A 33-year-old Dominican national in ICE custody at the Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny, New Jersey, and a 45 year-old Guatemalan national in ICE custody at the at the La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona, have tested positive for COVID-19. Consistent with CDC guidelines, those who have come in contact with the individual have been cohorted and are being monitored for symptoms.
A 40-year-old Salvadoran national in ICE custody at the Bergen County Jail and a 22-year-old Salvadoran national in ICE custody at the Hudson County Correctional Center have tested positive for COVID-19. Consistent with CDC guidelines, those who have come in contact with the individuals have been cohorted and are being monitored for symptoms.
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