ICE Detainee Death in Indiana Marks Seventh Fatality in 2026 Immigration Custody
A detainee died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Indiana on Monday, with the cause of death currently under investigation, according to an ICE statement released on Wednesday. This incident marks at least the seventh death in federal immigration custody in 2026, highlighting ongoing concerns over detention conditions and rising fatalities.
Details of the Incident and Detainee Background
The detainee, identified as Lorth Sim, a 59-year-old Cambodian national, was being held at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana. Staff discovered him unresponsive in his cell, prompting immediate medical attention, though he was pronounced dead shortly after. Sim had a long history in the United States, arriving as a refugee in 1983 and becoming a permanent resident in 1986. According to ICE, he was arrested and detained in Boston in December, with an immigration judge having ordered his removal to Cambodia back in 2006. His criminal record included previous arrests for disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, and larceny, resulting in a suspended sentence and probation.
Rising Detention Numbers and Deaths Under Trump Administration
Under President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policies, the number of individuals detained by ICE has surged to record levels. As of early February, ICE had approximately 68,000 people in custody, a significant increase from the 40,000 recorded when Trump took office. This expansion has been accompanied by a rise in deaths, with fatalities reaching a two-decade high last year. The recent death of Lorth Sim adds to this troubling trend, raising questions about the adequacy of medical care and overall conditions within detention facilities.
Criticism from Democrats and Civil Rights Groups
Democrats and civil rights organizations have consistently criticized the conditions in ICE detention centers, labeling them as inhumane. Earlier this month, another case drew attention when Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman with a U.S. citizen mother, was hospitalized for three days following a seizure while in immigration detention. Kordia reported being chained during her hospitalization, sparking further outrage over treatment protocols. These incidents underscore broader allegations of neglect and abuse within the system.
ICE Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
ICE has maintained that it ensures detainees receive proper medical care, and the federal government has denied allegations of inhumane treatment. However, the agency faces heightened scrutiny following the death of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos in a Texas detention center on January 3. The El Paso County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide due to asphyxia from neck and torso compression, with a Washington Post report citing a witness who claimed guards choked Lunas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided inconsistent statements about the incident, omitting details about choking or homicide, fueling calls for greater transparency and accountability.
As investigations into Lorth Sim's death continue, advocates are urging reforms to address the systemic issues plaguing immigration detention, emphasizing the need for improved oversight and humane treatment of all individuals in custody.
