The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is closing the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, an independent watchdog responsible for investigating abuse and misconduct in immigration detention centers. The closure comes as the use of force against detainees has surged under the Trump administration.
Funding Dispute Blamed for Closure
DHS attributes the shutdown to a lack of funding in recent appropriations bills. However, the office is legally mandated, and the bill's text does not require its closure. DHS claims Congress is responsible for the funding shortfall, while critics argue the administration is deliberately defunding oversight.
Record Use of Force and Detainee Numbers
Since President Trump returned to the White House, there have been over 780 incidents of force involving 1,330 detainees, including physical force and chemical agents. The administration previously slashed the office's staff by 96%, leaving only five employees. Meanwhile, the detainee population has reached a record 73,000, with deaths in ICE custody also rising—30 in 2025 and 18 so far this year.
Advocacy groups view the closure as part of a broader strategy to make detention conditions harsh as a deterrent. DHS plans to expand detention capacity to nearly 100,000 people daily by fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support mass deportation efforts.
