Our latest press releases on important news and events relating to immigration detention in the United States
For media inquiries contact: media@detentionwatchnetwork.org
Minneapolis, Minnesota — Today, an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed by the police in 2020. The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom that tracks gun violence, including by ICE, notes there have been at least 14 ICE shootings under the Trump administration, as of January 7, 2026.
Washington, DC — Today Detention Watch Network and Popular Democracy held a press conference to honor people who have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration detention. The press conference featured Congresswoman Emily Randall (WA-06), directly impacted people and national immigrant justice leaders who denounced the Trump administration’s mass detention and deportation agenda.
Washington, DC — In response to news that the Trump administration plans to use the US Navy to build and expand immigration detention centers, Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director of Detention Watch Network, issued the following statement:
Atlanta, GA — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly planning to restart detaining migrants in its custody at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC), a facility notorious for human rights violations, sparking immediate concern from Georgia advocacy groups and directly-impacted community members.
Imperial County, California — Freedom for Immigrants, Imperial Liberation Collaborative, and Detention Watch Network are mourning the death of Huabing Xie who died in ICE custody on September 29 after being detained at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in California. Immigrant justice groups are demanding an immediate investigation and public release of the findings related to Mr. Xie’s death.
Washington, DC — In response to the furlough of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Detention Oversight as a result of the government shutdown, despite all other ICE operations and detention continuing, Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network issued the following statement:
Washington, DC - In response to the news that the Trump administration has sent 10 people to Eswatini, including at least two people from Vietnam, Stacy Suh, Program Director of Detention Watch Network issued the following statement:
Washington, DC — In response to the government shut down, Setareh Ghandehari advocacy director of Detention Watch Network, issued the following statement:
Washington, DC — In response to the shooting at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Field Office in Dallas, Detention Watch Network released the following statement:
“Detention Watch Network condemns the shooting in Dallas that resulted in the death of an immigrant in ICE custody. A person tragically lost their life — a family will forever be changed — while two other people are fighting for their lives in critical condition.
Florence, AZ — The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project and Detention Watch Network are mourning the tragic loss of Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas, 32, affectionately known as "Lenchito,” a beloved son, brother, and friend who died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on Sunday, August 31, 2025. ICE had detained Mr. Batrez Vargas at Central Arizona Correctional Complex in Florence, Arizona and has reported that the cause of his death is currently unknown.
