Up to seven days in an ICE hold room: The new normal for detained migrants in the Trump era

"In the past, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies stipulated that arrested immigrants could be detained in hold rooms for up to 12 hours while awaiting transfer to detention centers or deportation; but with Trump's return to power, the federal agency overturned the old rule, and is now holding foreigners in these rooms for up to seven days, often in overcrowded conditions."

"A CNN analysis indicates that the average stay of detainees in hold rooms is two to three days, but some have been held for a week or more. Figures from the Deportation Data Project show that 18% of detainees placed into ICE hold rooms were kept there longer than 12 hours, up from only about 4% in 2024. Orders limiting releases are listed as one of the main causes of the increase."

"Two months ago, when complaints of violations of the 12-hour policy began to multiply, ICE modified the rule to keep immigrants in holding rooms for up to three days, justified under exceptional circumstances. Most of these rooms about 160 nationwide are located in the federal agency's offices, while a few are part of larger detention centers. The new rule has also not been enforced."

"The situation at the Krome Processing Center in Florida is particularly extreme. More than 600 people were simultaneously held in its holding rooms in mid-February. Sixty-two percent of those transferred there exceeded the 12-hour maximum, a situation aggravated by the fact that the facility lacks beds, showers, and other infrastructure for long stays. There, as in other centers, ICE's measures ultimately amounted to torture and a threat to the health of the detainees, most of whom have no criminal records."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement previously limited hold room detention to 12 hours, but the agency reversed that limit and is now holding immigrants for up to seven days. A CNN analysis found average stays of two to three days, with some detainees held a week or more. Deportation Data Project figures show 18% of detainees exceeded 12 hours, up from about 4% in 2024. Orders limiting releases contributed to the increase. ICE modified the rule allowing up to three days under exceptional circumstances, yet enforcement is inconsistent. About 160 hold rooms exist nationwide, many lacking beds, showers, and infrastructure for prolonged stays.

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