People with disabilities whose families were not told
These stories describe people with intellectual disabilities, autism, brain injuries, dementia-related conditions, and serious illness being detained, deported, or dying in ICE custody without their families being notified, across cities including Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Buffalo, Fort Wayne, San Francisco, and Miami. Family members report searching for missing relatives for days, learning of deportations only after the fact, or being denied consent before removal. First documented in February 2025, this pattern has not recurred steadily month to month and now represents a smaller share of reported cases than at its February 2025 peak.
First documented Feb 2025; not yet recurring in any one month. A smaller share of recent stories than at its peak.
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.
10 stories in 7 states. What accompanies this practice →
California
Daniel: Severely disabled man deported by ICE, back with family after nine monthsDaniel, who has an IQ of 47 and severe intellectual disabilities, was deported without his family's knowledge while collecting recyclables, and was found hospitalized in Tijuana nine months later before being allowed to return.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 18, 2026 · Newsweek, Internet Archive, The Guardian- Will K.: Ph.D. candidate held over a week at airport by CBPTae Heung "Will" Kim, 40, a Texas A&M Ph.D. candidate studying infectious disease, was held at San Francisco Airport for over a week without a lawyer after returning from his brother's wedding. He now faces a September 4 deportation hearing.San Francisco, CA · Jul 21, 2025 · Korean Quarterly, Seattle Times, Law & Crime
Colorado
Florida
Genry R.G.: Honduran man with schizoaffective disorder dies in ICE custody after seizuresGenry Ruiz Guillén, a 29-year-old Honduran man with schizoaffective disorder, suffered seizures and fainting spells while held at Krome before dying in December 2024. Experts have questioned the official cause of death.Miami, FL · Feb 24, 2025 · Physicians for Human Rights, MuckRock, La Nación +8
Diabetic British man with heart disease denied medications in ICE detention, collapsesA 56-year-old British man with diabetes, pancreatitis and heart disease was shackled for hours and denied consistent medication across three Florida facilities, later collapsing and being hospitalized under a false name.Miami, FL · February 2025 · Human Rights Watch
