HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

Serious illness

People with cancer, kidney failure, or other serious illness in custody

Documented stories describe people with cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and other serious conditions held in ICE custody across states including Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, reporting denied medication or delayed treatment; some died in custody, others were deported to third countries such as Mexico or the Central African Republic while still recovering from surgery or untreated illness. First documented in January 2025, these reports became recurring by February 2025, which was also the peak month by share, and have since remained a roughly steady share of all reported cases.

First documented Jan 2025, recurring since Feb 2025.

Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.

190 stories in 30 states. What accompanies this practice →

“My daughter never leaves my side. It would be extremely detrimental to her, in every respect, if I were separated from her.”

— the mother. Mother explains why she cannot leave her deported daughter's side as the girl's health deteriorates without U.S. medical care. read the story →

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