- The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed closure of its detention watchdog office.
- The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) allowed migrants to report abuse, misconduct, and rights violations.
- DHS says Congress is responsible after passing a funding bill that excluded the office.
- Reports indicate immigration detention numbers have surged to about 60,000 people.
- At least 46 deaths in detention have been recorded since the return of Donald Trump to power.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed the shutdown of a key oversight body responsible for monitoring conditions in immigration detention centers.
The now-defunct Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) previously served as an independent channel where detainees could report complaints, including allegations of excessive force, abuse, and violations of rights. The office has since been archived on the DHS website, signaling its closure.
According to DHS, the decision was not initiated internally but resulted from congressional action. A spokesperson stated that lawmakers passed a DHS appropriations bill without provisions to sustain the office, effectively ending its operations after it was signed into law.
However, reports indicate the legislation did not explicitly mandate the closure, raising questions about how the decision was implemented.
The development comes at a time when immigration detention in the United States is expanding rapidly. Current figures show around 60,000 migrants are being held in detention facilities roughly double the capacity seen under previous administrations.
Concerns have also been raised over detainee welfare. Data shows that at least 46 people have died in immigration detention since the current administration under Donald Trump began earlier this year, with critics pointing to worsening conditions and overcrowding.
The closure of the watchdog office is expected to intensify debate over transparency and accountability within the U.S. immigration system, especially as enforcement measures continue to expand.
