Our latest press releases on important news and events relating to immigration detention in the United States
For media inquiries contact: media@detentionwatchnetwork.org
Washington, D.C. - In response to Trump’s 100th day in office, Silky Shah, Executive Director of Detention Watch Network, shared the following reflections in Truthout:
UNITED STATES - This month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported three deaths, bringing the total to at least seven deaths in ICE custody since Trump assumed his second presidency. ICE reported Brayan Rayo-Garzon, from Colombia, died in custody on April 8. Rayo-Garzon was in ICE custody for two weeks. At the time of their death, ICE was detaining Rayo-Garzon at Phelps County jail, a jail in Missouri.
Nationwide — Today, 17 in-person demonstrations and two virtual actions occurred across the country as a part of Detention Watch Network’s “Communities Not Cages” National Day of Action. Co-hosted by the American Friends Service Committee and Immigrant Justice Network, advocates denounced the Trump administration’s cruel mass detention and deportation agenda in 13 states and the District of Columbia (see the list of actions).
Washington, DC — In response to the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, increasingly aligning with the Trump administration and several disturbing developments over the past week, Silky Shah, executive director of Detention Watch Network, issued the following
Washington, DC — In response to Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director, Todd Lyons comments at the 2025 Border Security Expo, Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network, issued the following comment:
Washington, DC — This week Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued an urgent sole source justification and approval notice for contracts for multiple new detention facilities, including for the Midwest Regional Prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, North Lake Prison in Baldwin, Michigan, and California City Correctional in California City, California for ICE custody.
Washington, DC — In response to Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, visiting El Salvador’s notorious mega prison, CECOT, on Wednesday, Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network issued the following statement:
Washington, DC — Immigrant justice groups are raising the alarm over increasing reports of medical neglect, overcrowding, and rampant transfers that sow confusion and cut people off from their loved ones and support networks in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center
Baldwin, MI — Today, The GEO Group announced a new contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the GEO-owned North Lake Facility (North Lake) in Baldwin, Michigan.
Washington, DC — On Friday the Senate passed a Trump-backed bill that gives billions more for detention and deportation, including a staggering budget increase of nearly $500 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), bringing the agency to a nearly $10 billion budget. In response, Setareh Ghandehari, Detention Watch Network’s advocacy director, issued the following statement:
