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Cambodian National Dies in ICE Custody in Indiana
Lorth Sim, a 59-year-old refugee, passed away while being held at the Miami Correctional Facility.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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A detainee died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Indiana on Monday, with the cause of death under investigation. Lorth Sim, a 59-year-old Cambodian national, was being held at the Miami Correctional Facility when staff found him unresponsive in his cell.
Why it matters
The number of people detained by ICE has risen to record levels under the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown, with deaths in federal immigration custody also climbing to a two-decade high last year. This incident raises further concerns about the conditions and treatment of detainees in ICE facilities.
The details
Sim came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1983 and became a permanent resident in 1986. He was arrested and detained in December in Boston, and an immigration judge had ordered his removal to Cambodia in 2006. ICE said Sim had been arrested previously for disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, and larceny, and received a suspended sentence and probation.
- Sim was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday, February 18, 2026.
- Sim was arrested and detained by ICE in Boston in December 2025.
The players
Lorth Sim
A 59-year-old Cambodian national who was being held in ICE custody at the time of his death.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The federal agency responsible for detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants, which has faced criticism over conditions in its detention facilities.
What’s next
The cause of Lorth Sim's death is still under investigation by ICE and local authorities.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about the treatment and conditions of detainees in ICE custody, particularly as the number of people being held has reached record levels under the Trump administration's immigration policies.
