A 59-year-old Cambodian national died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana on February 16, 2026. The death, the first at the maximum-security prison since it began housing ICE detainees, is under investigation, raising questions about medical care and conditions within the facility. This ICE detainee death in Indiana is prompting calls for transparency from lawmakers.
Lorth Sim was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 7:10 a.m., according to a news release from ICE. Prison staff and emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Sim was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death remains undetermined as of Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The Indiana Department of Correction has deferred all media inquiries to ICE. However, State Representative Ed DeLaney, a Democrat representing Indianapolis, stated he has been in communication with IDOC officials and is urging a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sim’s death. DeLaney indicated, based on preliminary conversations, that Sim had been diagnosed with diabetes and was authorized to receive medication for the condition. Whether his illness contributed to his death is currently unknown.
Concerns Over Medical Care at Miami Correctional Facility
The Miami Correctional Facility, sometimes referred to as the “Speedway Slammer” – a nickname disavowed by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – began housing ICE detainees relatively recently. The facility is a maximum-security state prison. Medical care for both ICE detainees and state prisoners at the facility is provided by Centurion, a Virginia-based contractor. Centurion has not yet responded to inquiries from the Indianapolis Star regarding Sim’s death.
DeLaney emphasized the need for a thorough assessment of the medical care Sim received while in custody. The lack of immediate comment from both the Indiana Department of Correction and Centurion is fueling concerns about transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers Demand Answers
News of Sim’s death has prompted swift reaction from Indiana’s Democratic lawmakers. U.S. Representative Andre Carson, also representing Indianapolis, released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) calling for answers and alleging a disregard for human life by ICE.
Lorth Sim’s family deserves answers, and so do the American people. ICE has shown they have a disregard for human life. We need to recognize exactly what caused Lorth’s death. https://t.co/…
— André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) February 18, 2026
Carson’s statement reflects a broader concern among advocates for immigrant rights regarding the conditions of detention and the level of medical care provided to ICE detainees. This incident adds to a growing number of deaths in ICE custody, with Reuters reporting this as at least the seventh such death under investigation. Reuters
Previous ICE Detainee Deaths
This is not the first instance of a detainee dying while in ICE custody. In February 2026, lawmakers are also demanding answers after another ICE detainee died at the Miami Correctional Facility. WFYI and USA TODAY both reported on the recent death.
What’s Next?
ICE has stated that the cause of Sim’s death is under investigation. The agency has not provided a timeline for the completion of the investigation. Representative DeLaney has called for a thorough review of the medical care provided to Sim, and other lawmakers are demanding greater transparency from ICE. Updates on the investigation are expected to be released by ICE as they become available. Families and advocates are seeking accountability and answers regarding the circumstances that led to Sim’s death.
This is a developing story. We will continue to update this article as more information becomes available. If you have information related to this case, please contact time.news at [email protected]
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