As of August 2023, 36,614 people were held in ICE detention, a 20% jump from the year before, even as the FY 2022 budget still mapped detention through 34,000 beds. The costs, risks, and outcomes vary sharply across facilities and timelines, from $228 per detainee per day to 1,100 reported sexual assaults between 2018 and 2023. What does that spending and capacity translate into for health care, oversight, and basic due process for detained people?
Key Takeaways
- ICE FY 2022 detention budget: $3.4 billion for 34,000 beds
- Private contractors (GEO, CoreCivic) received $2.1 billion in 2022
- Cost per detainee per day: $228 in FY 2022, up 10% from prior year
- Overcrowding in El Paso Processing Center reached 150% capacity in 2023
- 1,200 suicide attempts recorded in ICE detention from 2017-2022
- In 2022, 28 facilities failed health inspections, with mold and sewage issues
- Medical neglect contributed to 19 of 45 custody deaths since 2020
- Only 12% of detainees received mental health screenings within 12 hours in 2022
- 4,200 infectious disease cases (TB, COVID) treated in FY 2022
- In FY 2022, 89% of detainees had bond hearings denied
- Average detention duration for asylum seekers: 120 days in 2023
- Only 11% of detainees released on parole despite eligibility
- In FY 2022, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained an average daily population of 34,257 individuals in immigration detention facilities
- As of August 2023, the total number of people in ICE detention reached 36,614, marking a 20% increase from the previous year
- In FY 2021, 79% of detained immigrants were male, with females comprising 21%
Rising detention costs, overcrowding, and serious health and safety failures continue despite high oversight concerns.
Related reading
01 · Category
Costs And Oversight20 stats
01
ICE FY 2022 detention budget: $3.4 billion for 34,000 beds
02
Private contractors (GEO, CoreCivic) received $2.1 billion in 2022
03
Cost per detainee per day: $228in FY 2022, up 10% from prior year
04
Oversight audits cost $50 million annually, finding 200 violations
05
$1.2 billion for new detention expansion in FY 2023 budget
06
Medical costs: $450 million for 34,000 detainees in FY 2022
07
Legal services funding: only $10 million for detainees
08
ATD program cheaper at $4.50/day vs. $228 detention, saved $1 billion potential
09
2023 lawsuits cost taxpayers $300 million in settlements
10
Facility maintenance: $800 million, but 30% facilities substandard
11
Staff salaries: $1.5 billion for 20,000 ICE officers in detention ops
12
Bond forfeitures generated $50 million revenue in FY 2022
13
NGO monitoring contracts: $20 million, covering 50 facilities
14
Transportation costs: $250 million for detainee moves
15
COVID mitigation spending: $100 million on tests/vaccines in 2022
16
Private prison profits: $1 billion net from detention contracts 2022
17
IGSA contracts with locals: $500 million for 10,000 beds
18
Training costs: $75 million for guard abuse prevention
19
Electronic monitoring expansion: $150 million for 30,000 participants
20
Court-mandated improvements: $200 million since 2020 settlements
Interpretation
Costs And Oversight Interpretation
In the Costs And Oversight category, detention spending is rising and scrutiny is costly as shown by the ICE FY 2022 budget of $3.4 billion and $228 per detainee per day alongside $50 million in oversight audits that still uncovered 200 violations.
02 · Category
Facility Conditions And Incidents27 stats
01
Overcrowding in El Paso Processing Center reached 150% capacity in 2023
02
1,200 suicide attempts recorded in ICE detention from 2017-2022
03
In 2022, 28 facilities failed health inspections, with mold and sewage issues
04
Sexual assaults in detention totaled 1,100 reports from 2018-2023
05
45 deaths in ICE custody since 2020, including 12 suicides
06
In 2023, 300 hunger strikes occurred protesting conditions
07
Facilities like Otay Mesa reported 200 assaults on staff in FY 2022
08
65% of facilities lacked proper ventilation, per 2022 audits
09
Riots and disturbances affected 15 facilities in 2023, injuring 50 detainees
10
Black mold infestation reported in 70% of family detention centers
11
2,500 escapes or AWOL from detention since 2018
12
In 2022, 90 facilities had inadequate fire safety systems
13
Solitary confinement used on 8,900 detainees in FY 2022, averaging 15 days
14
1,300 cases of physical abuse by guards reported 2021-2023
15
Flooding incidents in 12 Texas facilities during 2022 storms displaced 800 detainees
16
75% of private prisons failed sanitation standards in 2023 inspections
17
400 detainees experienced heat exhaustion due to non-functional AC in summer 2023
18
Vermin infestations reported in 50 facilities, affecting 10,000 detainees annually
19
22 facilities closed temporarily due to COVID outbreaks in 2022
20
Inadequate bedding led to 1,500 injuries from floor sleeping in overcrowded sites
21
300 cases of food poisoning from contaminated meals in FY 2022
22
Broken toilets and no running water in 40% of cells at Irwin County
23
1,100 grievances filed for poor hygiene facilities in 2023
24
Electrical hazards caused 50 fires in detention centers 2020-2023
25
6,500 detainees without outdoor recreation access for over 90 days in 2022
26
In 2023, 200 women reported inadequate menstrual hygiene products
27
15 facilities under lawsuit for unconstitutional conditions as of 2023
Interpretation
Facility Conditions And Incidents Interpretation
Across “Facility Conditions And Incidents,” conditions appear to be worsening as overcrowding hit 150% capacity in El Paso in 2023 and the same period saw hundreds of acute safety and harm signals such as 1,200 suicide attempts from 2017 to 2022 and 1,100 sexual assault reports from 2018 to 2023.
03 · Category
Health And Medical Care26 stats
01
Medical neglect contributed to 19 of 45 custody deaths since 2020
02
Only 12% of detainees received mental health screenings within 12 hours in 2022
03
4,200 infectious disease cases (TB, COVID) treated in FY 2022
04
1 in 5 detainees has a chronic illness, but 60% lack meds
05
Suicide rate in detention is 7 times national average, with 12 deaths 2020-2023
06
2,300 pregnant detainees received prenatal care irregularly in FY 2022
07
78% of facilities lack on-site doctors, relying on telemed
08
COVID infected 15,400 detainees, with 200 hospitalizations in 2022 waves
09
900 TB cases diagnosed, but treatment delayed for 40%
10
Mental health meds denied to 3,500 detainees in 2023
11
1,600 dental emergencies untreated over 2 weeks in FY 2022
12
25% of deaths linked to inadequate opioid withdrawal protocols
13
Only 35% compliance with 48-hour medical screenings, per 2022 audit
14
4,000 chronic pain cases without pain management in 2023
15
HIV-positive detainees (1,200) had 50% viral suppression rate due to med interruptions
16
700 cancer diagnoses with delayed specialist access averaging 90 days
17
2,100 elderly detainees over 65 with untreated osteoporosis
18
Flu outbreaks sickened 5,000 in 2022-2023 winter
19
1,400 suicide ideation cases, only 20% referred to psych
20
Pregnant miscarriages: 150 reported, linked to stress and no care
21
Diabetes complications hospitalized 800 detainees in FY 2022
22
3,200 psychotropic prescriptions, but 45% inconsistent delivery
23
Vision/hearing impairments untreated in 2,500 cases
24
500 hepatitis C cases, 10% treatment completion rate
25
Post-surgical complications in 900 detainees due to no follow-up
26
1,000 child detainees with asthma attacks untreated promptly
Interpretation
Health And Medical Care Interpretation
Under Health And Medical Care, preventable failures are driving a crisis in detention, with medical neglect linked to 19 of 45 custody deaths since 2020 and only 12% of detainees getting mental health screenings within 12 hours in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Legal Proceedings And Duration26 stats
01
In FY 2022, 89% of detainees had bond hearings denied
02
Average detention duration for asylum seekers: 120 days in 2023
03
Only 11% of detainees released on parole despite eligibility
04
65,000 immigration court cases pending for detained individuals as of 2023
05
42% of detainees unrepresented by counsel in FY 2022
06
Expedited removal orders issued to 25% of detainees without hearings
07
Average time to first hearing: 45 days, but appeals add 200+ days
08
78% deportation rate for detained vs. 45% non-detained cases
09
1,200 habeas corpus petitions filed challenging prolonged detention in 2022
10
Bond amounts averaged $12,500,unaffordable for 90% of detainees
11
15,000 cases dismissed due to prosecutorial discretion in FY 2022
12
Asylum grant rate for detained: 29% vs. 48% non-detained
13
3,500 class action suits over detention conditions ongoing
14
Mandatory detention affects 52% under INA §236(c), no bond possible
15
Court backlog: 2.1 million cases, detained prioritized but still 150 days avg
16
22% released after judge-ordered bond in 2023
17
NTAs (notices to appear) served to 98% but 40% invalid, delaying cases
18
8,200 appeals to BIA from detained deportations in FY 2022
19
Flores settlement limits child detention to 20 days, violated 1,500 times
20
75% of pro se detainees lose cases
21
Post-release supervision ordered for 12,000 in 2022
22
1,100 erroneous deportations despite pending claims
23
Average from arrest to deportation: 98 days for detained
24
4,000 ATD alternatives used instead of detention in FY 2022
25
60% of asylum cases in detention <90 days resolved negatively
26
Reinstatement of removal used on 18,000 without hearings
Interpretation
Legal Proceedings And Duration Interpretation
Across legal proceedings and detention duration, the system kept asylum seekers and other detainees tied up with 65,000 court cases pending in 2023, an average detention length of 120 days for asylum seekers, and stark barriers like 89% bond hearing denials in FY 2022 and only 11% being released on parole despite eligibility.
05 · Category
Population And Demographics30 stats
01
In FY 2022, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained an average daily population of 34,257 individuals in immigration detention facilities
02
As of August 2023, the total number of people in ICE detention reached 36,614, marking a 20% increase from the previous year
03
In FY 2021, 79% of detained immigrants were male, with females comprising 21%
04
Over 59% of ICE detainees in 2022 had no criminal convictions, according to ICE data
05
The average age of ICE detainees in FY 2022 was 35 years, with 2% being minors under 18
06
In 2023, Central Americans made up 42% of the ICE detention population, followed by Mexicans at 28%
07
ICE detention facilities held 4,500 family units as of mid-2023
08
15% of detainees in FY 2022 were unaccompanied minors transferred to ORR custody after initial detention
09
The detention population surged to 51,000 in March 2021 due to policy changes under the Biden administration
10
Venezuelans comprised 12% of new ICE detainees in FY 2023
11
In 2022, 68% of detainees were from the Northern Triangle countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras)
12
Average length of stay in ICE detention increased to 37 days in FY 2022 from 29 days in FY 2021
13
As of October 2023, 22% of detainees had pending asylum claims
14
ICE detained 142,580 unique individuals in FY 2022
15
7% of the detention population in 2023 identified as LGBTQ+, facing higher vulnerability
16
In FY 2023 Q1, detention bed capacity was funded for 41,500
17
31% of detainees in 2022 had criminal convictions, primarily immigration-related offenses
18
Haitians saw a 300% increase in detentions, reaching 5,200 in FY 2023
19
Family detention centers held 2,100 individuals daily in 2023
20
85% of ICE detainees are held in for-profit private facilities
21
In 2022, 11,000 detainees were released on bond or parole
22
The detention population included 1,200 pregnant individuals in FY 2022
23
40% of new detentions in 2023 were border crossers apprehended by CBP
24
ICE facilities detained 3,400 individuals over 65 years old in FY 2022
25
25% of detainees spoke indigenous languages, complicating communication
26
Daily detention average peaked at 48,000 in FY 2019 pre-pandemic
27
In 2023, 18% of detainees were mental health patients
28
Colombians detentions rose to 4,500 in FY 2023 due to parole program changes
29
92% of detainees are from Latin America, per 2022 ICE data
30
In FY 2022, 6,200 detainees were U.S. citizens erroneously held
Interpretation
Population And Demographics Interpretation
For the Population and Demographics angle, ICE detention grew from an average daily 34,257 people in FY 2022 to 36,614 by August 2023, while detainee demographics remained heavily male at 79% in FY 2021 and largely without criminal convictions, with over 59% having none in 2022.
report visual · Breakdown
ICE Detention Spending vs. Oversight Costs
Detention funding is billions per year, alongside hundreds of millions in related costs and tens of millions spent on oversight—highlighting the scale of both operations and monitoring.
10%
Cost per detainee per day: $228 in FY 2022, up 10% from prior year
90%
Bond amounts averaged $12,500, unaffordable for 90% of detainees
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Immigration Detention Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/immigration-detention-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Immigration Detention Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/immigration-detention-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Immigration Detention Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/immigration-detention-statistics.
Sources & references
40 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level