Freshness note: This analysis was last updated 29 days ago. Fast-moving policy claims can change quickly, so check for newer official updates before relying on this verdict.
“67 detainees died in ICE custody during Obama's eight years of presidency (2009-2017), compared to 83 deaths so far under Trump with 37 in the first 12 months of his second term”
Summary
ICE data confirms 67 deaths in custody during Obama's eight years in office (2009-2017) and 83 deaths under Trump through early 2026, with 37 deaths occurring in the first 12 months of Trump's second term. The rate of deaths has increased significantly during Trump's second term compared to both administrations' previous periods.
Primary Sources
DW fact check verifying ICE custody death figures for Obama and Trump administrations, noting 67 deaths under Obama (2009-2017) and 83 deaths under Trump through early 2026, with 37 deaths in the first 12 months of Trump's second term
Evidence Supporting the Claim
- ICE records show 67 total detainee deaths during Obama's eight years in office from 2009 to 2017, according to DW fact check analysis
- ICE custody deaths under Trump total 83 through early 2026, as reported by DW citing ICE data
- The first 12 months of Trump's second term recorded 37 deaths in ICE custody, according to ICE counts analyzed by DW
- The 37 deaths in Trump's second term first year is comparable to the number accumulated under Obama over four years, according to immigration law scholar Cesar Cuauhtemoc Garcia Hernandez
Evidence Against / Context
- Earlier reports citing 56 deaths under Obama were incomplete, covering only through early 2016 rather than Obama's full term ending in January 2017
Timeline
Obama administration begins; ICE custody deaths begin accumulating over eight-year period
ACLU/DWN/NIJC report 'Fatal Neglect: How ICE Ignores Deaths in Detention' published, documenting 56 deaths through early 2016
Obama administration ends with total of 67 ICE custody deaths over eight years
Trump's first term begins; ICE custody deaths continue accumulating
Trump's second term begins
Two high-profile ICE shootings of US citizens spark public outcry and lead to drop in ICE support
First 12 months of Trump's second term concludes with 37 ICE custody deaths
Total ICE custody deaths under Trump reach 83 across both terms
What This Means
Structured interpretation — not opinion
Key takeaway 1
The numerical claims regarding ICE custody deaths are accurate according to official ICE data and fact-checking analysis
Key takeaway 2
The death rate during Trump's second term first year (37 deaths in 12 months) represents a significant acceleration compared to the Obama administration average (67 deaths over 96 months, or approximately 8.4 deaths per year)
Key takeaway 3
Immigration law experts attribute higher death counts to increased detention numbers and longer detention periods under the Trump administration
Key takeaway 4
These figures track deaths in ICE custody specifically and are separate from deaths during ICE enforcement actions
Related Claims in Immigration
“ICE killed 9 people in detention in 2026”
Nine deaths occurred in ICE detention facilities between October 2025 and early 2026, according to ICE records. The characterization of these as ICE 'killing' detainees is disputed, as deaths resulted from various causes including medical conditions, suicide, and complications, though advocates point to inadequate care and conditions as contributing factors.
“ICE killed 9 people in 2026”
The claim that ICE killed 9 people in 2026 cannot be verified as 2026 has not yet occurred. As of March 2026, only a portion of the year has elapsed. ICE detention center deaths are tracked by the agency and reported annually, but attributing deaths directly to ICE as killings requires specific evidence of causation and intent that would need case-by-case examination.
“A deaf Bay Area boy and his family were deported to Colombia without his hearing aids”
California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond confirmed that a deaf student from the Bay Area was deported to Colombia with his family and does not have his hearing aids with him. Thurmond publicly called on the Trump administration to return the family to the United States.