U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will stop reporting deaths of former detainees that occur within 30 days of their release, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The policy had been issued during the Biden administration and directed the agency to review and report all detainee fatalities, including those that occurred post-release.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said, "Under this updated policy, when an individual is no longer in ICE custody then ICE will no longer be responsible for monitoring or reviewing deaths that may occur. This is common sense. ICE is not responsible when an individual passes away weeks after leaving their custody."
There have been 49 deaths in ICE custody since the start of the second Trump administration, according to lawmakers.
An analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement data and the number of detainee deaths provided to Congress shows the first 14 months of the second Trump administration represent the most deadly period for the federal detention system in recent years, with the exception of 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic contributed to detention deaths.
The policy reversal by the Trump administration comes amid scrutiny from lawmakers and immigrant advocates over the rising death rate of detained immigrants in federal custody.
On Thursday, the DHS spokesperson said, "ICE remains committed to transparency regarding detainee deaths."