ICE Agents Used Physical Force Against Hundreds of Detainees Amid Overcrowding and Policy Shifts

A damning report from The Washington Post exposes a troubling surge in the use of physical force by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) against detainees in immigration detention centers. Between January 2024 and February 2026, ICE agents used force or chemical agents at least 780 times, employing tactics ranging from punches and kicks to tasers, pepper spray, restraint chairs, and chokeholds.

The data covers the final year of the Biden administration and the first year of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, a period marked by intensified immigration crackdowns. During Trump’s first year back, the number of force incidents rose by 37 percent, while the number of detainees subjected to force jumped 54 percent.

Experts point to overcrowding, understaffing, and insufficient training as key drivers behind the spike in violence. Jeff Schwartz, a police trainer and law professor, told the Post that these factors likely combined to create a volatile environment where guards resorted to force more frequently.

The detainee population swelled to a daily average of 72,000 in January 2026 before declining to just over 60,000 by early April. This drop followed public outrage after two U.S. citizen deaths during immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. The fallout led to the retirement of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and the firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Despite the administration’s rhetoric about targeting “the worst of the worst,” the vast majority of detainees—42,722 according to TRAC data—had no criminal charges or convictions. Many of those with convictions were held for minor offenses like traffic violations. Yet the use of force was widespread, underscoring a system that treats largely nonviolent detainees with excessive aggression.

The Department of Homeland Security defended ICE’s actions, claiming officers are trained to use “the minimum amount of force necessary” and regularly receive de-escalation training. But the sheer volume of incidents and the harsh tactics documented paint a stark picture of a detention system rife with abuse.

This report adds to the mounting evidence that ICE detention centers operate under conditions that violate civil rights and human dignity. It highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and reform in a system that continues to prioritize enforcement over humane treatment.