An Associated Press investigation has revealed a sharp rise in suicides among Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees since January 2025, with at least 10 men taking their own lives. Seven of these suicides occurred between October 2024 and April 2025, already surpassing any previous annual total in the agency's history.
Key Takeaways
An AP investigation has uncovered a sharp rise in suicides among ICE detainees since January 2025, with at least 10 men taking their own lives. The most recent case involved Brayan Rayo Garzon, a 26-year-old Colombian military veteran who died by suicide after exhibiting signs of distress and being denied mental health treatment while isolated with COVID-19 symptoms.
- At least 10 ICE detainees have died by suicide since January 2025
- Seven suicides occurred between October 2024 and April 2025, surpassing any previous annual total
- Nine of the victims were Hispanic men with an average age of 32; seven had no record of violent crimes in the U.S.
- Experts attribute the increase to systemic failures within ICE's detention network, including ignored signs of distress and delayed mental health treatment
- The detained population has spiked by 50% during Trump's second term
The most recent case involved Brayan Rayo Garzon, a 26-year-old Colombian military veteran who was detained by ICE after using a stolen credit card. Despite exhibiting signs of distress and requesting mental health treatment while isolated with COVID-19 symptoms, Rayo was found unconscious in his cell at Phelps County Jail in Missouri just an hour after passing notes pleading to speak with his mother.
Experts attribute this alarming increase in suicides to systemic failures within ICE's detention network. The investigation found that staff ignored signs of distress, delayed mental health treatment, and failed to properly monitor at-risk detainees. Nine of the 10 suicide victims were Hispanic men from four different countries, with an average age of 32. Seven had no record of violent crimes in the U.S., contradicting President Trump's characterization of those facing deportation as 'the worst of the worst'.
ICE maintains that it follows protocols to protect at-risk detainees and provides comprehensive healthcare, including mental health services. However, the investigation revealed significant shortcomings across ICE facilities, with some failing to meet basic standards for timely medical screenings and treatment. The detained population has spiked by 50% during Trump's second term, further straining resources.
The suicides have occurred in various types of facilities, including those run by private contractors CoreCivic and the GEO Group, county jails, and federal prisons. In one case at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, a detainee died by suicide while another was killed after being restrained during a suicide attempt - an incident ruled a homicide that is currently under FBI investigation.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacted to the AP's investigation by calling for his country's foreign ministry to issue a formal protest regarding Rayo's death. He also urged the U.S. government to 'reflect on how its immigration policy is killing Americans and Latin Americans'.
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