An investigation by the Associated Press (AP) has found that the number of suicides among detainees of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reached a record high. The probe uncovers systemic failures that critics attribute to the tightened immigration policies of former President Donald Trump.
One particularly tragic case is that of Brayan Rayo Garzon. He was in solitary confinement in a Missouri prison while suffering from Covid-19 symptoms. According to AP records, he was isolated for four days without access to the psychological treatment he had requested. Staff also forbade him from calling his mother to prevent the spread of the disease.
The AP survey shows that the suicide rate among ICE detainees has risen dramatically in recent years. Human rights organizations and lawyers criticize the detention conditions and the lack of psychosocial care in the facilities. They accuse the agency of disregarding the basic rights of detainees.
The case of Rayo Garzon is emblematic of a series of incidents in which detainees were placed in isolation and received no adequate medical or psychological help. The AP relies on internal documents and interviews with former detainees and staff.
The Trump administration massively tightened immigration policy and increased the number of deportations. Critics see a direct link between this policy and the deterioration of detention conditions. ICE itself has not yet commented on the allegations.
EuroPulse reported on May 28, 2026, about Trump’s threats against Iran, which were also part of his aggressive foreign policy: Trump threatens Iran: US could ‘finish the job’.
Source: www.theguardian.com
