Why It Matters
Three of the four Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entities that inspect immigration detention facilities changed how often they inspected, or stopped inspecting, from fiscal year 2024 through July 2026, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Between April 2025 and April 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) added over 40 facilities holding noncitizens for more than 72 hours, and the average daily detained population grew more than 50 percent to 61,817.
The detention and explusion of noncitizens has been a cornerstone of the Trump administration's policies. Critics have said that ICE has used extreme measures that have resulted in the deaths of detainees and protestors.
The Big Picture
ICE is authorized to detain noncitizens apprehended for violations of immigration law while removal proceedings are pending or a removal order is carried out. ICE guidance states that the agency "must detain noncitizens in the most humane manner possible," and its detention standards dictate how facilities should operate.
ICE relies on DHS entities, both inside and outside the agency, to assess compliance with those standards. Inspections identify deficiencies related to medical care and food service, among other areas. The report examines changes since GAO's last report on this topic, and it places the growth in facilities after a January 2025 executive order.
GAO said it was "asked to review" compliance with detention standards and related oversight. The report finds that ICE has not used evidence, such as data on deficiencies found through inspections and performance information on contract compliance, to determine how the changes have affected facility conditions. It also reports increased reliance on facility self-inspections and changes to inspection processes.
The Bottom Line
The report's recommendations table lists one agency, ICE, with two recommendations, both open. The first asks ICE to use evidence "to determine the effects of changes to inspections by DHS entities and whether the inspections are collectively sufficient." The second asks ICE to modify its inspections "based on its findings, as appropriate." DHS concurred with both. The table says actions "have not been taken or are being planned," and GAO will provide updated information once it confirms what ICE has done. The report sets no timeline for ICE to act.
GAO states that evidence-based review would help ICE "ensure that facilities provide sound conditions and care for noncitizens, in accordance with its standards." As published, both recommendations are open, and the report says ICE has not yet evaluated the effects of its inspection changes.
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