ICE begins testing all incoming detainees for COVID-19

Original Date Announced
June 4, 2020
COVID-19: ICE claims it is testing all incoming detainees for COVID-19 at 22 detention centers nationwide. ICE houses all new arrivals separately from the general population for 14 days after their arrival and monitors them for symptoms.
[ID #995]
ICE Guidance on COVID-19
Effective Date
June 4, 2020
Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced
May 11, 2023
ICE Pandemic Emergency COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols Version 2.0

This Biden Administration action revokes and replaces the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On May 11, 2023, coinciding with the CDC's changing COVID-19 policies and the end of the COVID-19 federal emergency, ICE announced in its Post Pandemic Emergency Guidelines and Protocols that it will no longer require detention facilities to perform COVID-19 tests on all detained noncitizens at intake, transfer, or release, or to quarantine all detained noncitizens upon intake. Facilities will only be required to test asymptomatic detained noncitizens if the facility is at an elevated risk level or the country to which the detainee will be removed requires a negative COVID test. These changes will increase the number of accessible beds in ICE detention facilities by several thousand.
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Not in effect

May 11, 2023 Action: Revoked/Replaced ICE Pandemic Emergency COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols Version 2.0

May 11, 2023

Status: Final/Actual Enjoined/Vacated

Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice

Subject Matter: Detention

Agencies Affected: ICE

Associated or Derivative Policies

April 6, 2020
Previously, ICE instituted screening guidance for new detainees who arrive at facilities to identify those who meet CDC’s criteria for epidemiological risk of exposure to COVID-19. ICE previously isolated detainees with fever and/or respiratory symptoms who meet these criteria and observed them for a specified time period.
Prior ICE Guidance on COVID-19: Detention

All incoming ICE detainees at Krome to be tested as coronavirus cases in detention surge

In a June 2020 court filing, ICE claimed that all detainees newly booked at the Krome Processing Center and 21 other ICE detention facilities nationwide would be tested for COVID-19.
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