Representative Tran Introduces Legislation to Hold Private ICE Detention Centers Accountable for Detainee Deaths

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) introduced H.R. 9883, the Private Detention Corporate Accountability Act of 2026, to hold privately-owned detention centers that contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accountable for any wrongful deaths of a detainee that occur in their facilities or under their care. The legislation allows families of deceased detainees to seek damages when a private detention facility or its employees' actions result in a wrongful death of someone in their care.

"As the Trump Administration continues to ramp up their reckless and dangerous immigration enforcement operations, private detention centers are responsible for holding an increasing number of detainees, including those with legal immigration status and no criminal record. Private detention centers benefit from government contracts with no financial incentive to improve health and safety conditions, leading to devastating outcomes for detainees and their families," said Representative Tran."Private detention centers must be held accountable for the negligence that has led to the deaths of dozens of detainees nationwide. This legislation is the first step to ensure dignity and humanity for detainees, ensure justice for families and prevent future deaths in custody."

Since January 20, 2025, half of all ICE detainee deaths occurred in privately-owned detention facilities. To date, at least 53 people have died in ICE Custody since the start of President Trump's second term. The Private Detention Corporate Accountability Act of 2026 would create a private right of action to hold private detention centers liable when their actions cause the wrongful death of a person in their custody, allowing families to seek statutory, economic, and punitive damages. To ensure accountability is more than just the cost of doing business, the legislation would impose a statutory damage minimum of $5 million, roughly equal to one day's worth of revenue for the largest private detention center companies.

The American Association for Justice, the largest association for trial lawyers in the United States, has endorsed the bill.

Last year, Representative Tran visited the Adelanto Detention Center to conduct oversight on detainee health and safety. Tran, along with Congresswoman Judy Chu and Congressman Gil Cisneros, was blocked from entering and conducting the visit. There have been 4 detainee deaths at Adelanto since Representative Tran's visit. He also joined 26 California Members of Congress calling on DHS and ICEto investigate CoreCivice, a privately-run detention center contractor, for serious violations of federal civil rights and disability protections.

Representative Tran introduced the ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act to deliver justice for victims of ICE's constitutional rights abuses, and has cosponsored legislation to place checks on ICE's conduct, including:

• H.R. 4176, The No Secret Police Act, to prohibit ICE agents from wearing non-tactical face coverings while on duty;

• H.R. 5973, The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, to scale back the level of force permissible in immigration operations;

• H.R. 3172, The ICE Visibility Act, to require agents to clearly identify themselves as such when interacting with the public;

• H.R. 5653, The Trust Through Transparency Act, to require all ICE officials to wear body cameras when interacting with the public in immigration enforcement operations;

• H.R. 944, The Access to Counsel Act, to ensure that U.S. citizens and individuals with lawful status are able to call an attorney or family member to seek legal assistance when they are detained;

• H.R. 5941, The Restoring Access for Detainees Act, to require DHS to allow noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families; and

• H.R. 4456, Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act, to prohibit ICE from using federal funds to detain or deport U.S. citizens.

Since taking office in January 2025, Tran's office has opened over 600 cases to assist constituents related to the adjudication of their immigration status with federal agencies.

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