Guards at ICE Detainment Center Accused of Running Suicide Death Pools

Allegations emerge of cruel treatment and neglect at an immigration detention facility in Texas

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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According to reports, guards at an ICE detainment center in El Paso, Texas have been accused of setting up 'suicide death pools' where they allegedly bet on when detainees would take their own lives. The allegations come from former detainee Ramsingh, who claims the guards encouraged suicidal behavior and neglected the mental health needs of those in custody. The Department of Homeland Security has denied the claims, but 911 calls placed by staff indicate there have been multiple suicide attempts at the facility.

Why it matters

These allegations highlight the ongoing concerns about the treatment of migrants and asylum-seekers in the U.S. immigration detention system, which has long been criticized for its poor conditions and lack of adequate medical and mental health care. The Trump administration's hardline immigration policies have exacerbated these issues, leading to increased reports of abuse and neglect at detention centers across the country.

The details

According to the reports, former detainee Ramsingh alleged that guards at the ICE detention center in El Paso, Texas were running a 'suicide death pool' where they would bet on when detainees would take their own lives. Ramsingh claimed the guards would encourage suicidal behavior and neglect the mental health needs of those in custody. While the Department of Homeland Security has denied these allegations, 911 calls obtained by the Associated Press indicate that staff at the facility have reported multiple suicide attempts by detainees in recent months.

  • In March 2026, the Associated Press obtained evidence of the alleged 'suicide death pools' at the ICE detention center in El Paso, Texas.

The players

Ramsingh

A former detainee at the ICE detention center in El Paso, Texas who has alleged that guards were running a 'suicide death pool' where they bet on when detainees would take their own lives.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the immigration detention system. The DHS has denied the allegations made by Ramsingh.

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The takeaway

These disturbing allegations of cruel and neglectful treatment of detainees at the ICE facility in El Paso underscore the urgent need for greater oversight and accountability within the U.S. immigration detention system. The reported 'suicide death pools' and lack of adequate mental health care highlight the dehumanizing conditions that many migrants and asylum-seekers face while in custody, which must be addressed to uphold basic human rights and dignity.