No ICE Deaths in the Dark Act of 2026

ICE would make reasonable efforts to notify a deceased person's next of kin and, where applicable, consulate, and notify the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and congressional committees. It would also post an interim notice with objective information about known facts and circumstances.

ICE would post a report covering known information such as the person's name, date and location of death, facility, suspected cause, relevant medical history, and circumstances. The report would say whether the death occurred in custody or within 30 days after release; public information would be searchable and downloadable, subject to permitted privacy and other redactions.

ICE would assess the person's medical history and clinical care, examine the circumstances of detention and death, and identify possible errors, needed follow-up, and corrective actions. If a detention death review were delayed beyond its deadline, ICE would send status updates to the Inspector General and congressional committees every 30 days until it was completed.

After learning of a covered death, ICE would preserve related records and evidence, including medical and detention records, video footage, and investigative materials. It would also send Congress quarterly updates on covered deaths, review progress, findings, and recommended or implemented corrective actions, to the extent appropriate for disclosure.

A covered death would include a death in ICE custody or, if reasonably connected to detention or another circumstance of custody, within 30 days after release. The requirements would apply to covered deaths occurring after the Act's 90-day start period.