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Lawmakers fault ICE oversight denials and press agency on deaths in custody
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Summary
Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee criticized ICE for limiting congressional oversight of detention centers and pressed Acting Director Todd Lyons about a recent rise in deaths in ICE custody; Lyons reported nine deaths since January 20, 2025 and cited staff guidance about inspections under the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on May 14 criticized ICE for denying unannounced congressional inspections of detention facilities and questioned the agency’s transparency after a recent string of deaths in custody.
“Members of Congress do not have to request a tour of ICE detention centers to be allowed in,” Ranking Member Underwood said, citing federal law and asserting that ICE blocked an unannounced inspection at Delaney Hall in New Jersey last week. Underwood said ICE’s conduct “appears to be in violation of federal law.”
Acting Director Todd Lyons told the panel that ICE’s staff understands the oversight authorities in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 and that the agency would facilitate oversight while asking that members and staff comply with security screening and safety rules. “We do acknowledge that any member of Congress does have the right to show up for an inspection of one of our facilities in their oversight capacity,” Lyons said, adding that tours have been scheduled and “the staff is fully aware of the appropriation act of 2020, specifically 532.”
Members also pressed Lyons on deaths in custody. Underwood said she had been notified of at least seven deaths in the prior four months and asked for ICE’s current tally since Jan. 20, 2025. Lyons responded: “Our total death in custody right now is up to 9.” He said ICE conducts investigations through the Office of Professional Responsibility and local jurisdictions and pledged to provide information required by congressional directives for public posting.
Lawmakers urged better reporting and questioned whether the agency had provided timely public disclosures; Lyons said ICE would work to return information to the committee and make it publicly available pursuant to the congressional directive cited in testimony.
No formal enforcement action was taken during the hearing. Members asked for written follow‑up and documentation from ICE about inspections, guidance to staff, and the status of investigations into deaths in custody.
