American Immigration Council: ICE Detention System Expanding With Reduced Oversight

ICE detention population has increased 75% year-over-year with a record 73,000 held as of mid-January, 73.6% without criminal convictions. Medical contractor payments have been halted since October 2025 with resumption unlikely before April 2026. Six detained persons have died in FY2026 so far, following 31 deaths in FY2025 -- December 2025 was the deadliest month on record.