What GAO Found Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detention facility inspections have changed at the same time that the number of immigration detention facilities and the size of the detained population have increased. From April 2025 to April 2026, following a January 2025 Executive Order, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) added over 40 detention facilities that detain noncitizens for over 72 hours. The average daily population of detained noncitizens grew by over 50 percent, to 61,817 individuals, over the timeframe. From fiscal year 2024 to July 2026, three of the four DHS entities that conducted inspections changed the frequency (decreased or increased) or stopped conducting inspections.
Changes to Inspections Conducted by DHS Entities from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to July 2026 ICE relies on these inspections to identify deficiencies in its facilities and ensure compliance with its detention standards.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) added over 40 detention facilities that detain noncitizens for over 72 hours. The average daily population of detained noncitizens grew by over 50 percent, to 61,817 individuals, over the timeframe.
From fiscal year 2024 to July 2026, three of the four DHS entities that conducted inspections changed the frequency (decreased or increased) or stopped conducting inspections.
Changes to Inspections Conducted by DHS Entities from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to July 2026 ICE relies on these inspections to identify deficiencies in its facilities and ensure compliance with its detention standards.
However, the frequency of inspections has in some cases decreased, there is an increased reliance on self-inspections, and processes for these inspections have changed.