New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reverse a dangerous new policy ending investigations and public reporting of deaths that occur shortly after people are released from ICE custody. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella, Attorney General James and the coalition condemn the new policy as an irresponsible attempt to reduce transparency and accountability as reports of abusive and unsafe conditions in ICE detention facilities continue to rise.

“This new policy is a blatant attempt to hide dangerous conditions inside ICE detention centers from the public. ICE must ensure that every person in its custody receives basic medical care, safe conditions, and humane treatment. Instead, this administration is trying to evade accountability and operate in darkness as deaths in ICE custody reach historic levels. My fellow attorneys general and I are calling on ICE to reverse this irresponsible policy and restore transparency before more lives are put at risk.” – AG James