Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI) demanded answers from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the tragic death of Nenko Gantchev, who died on December 15, 2025, while in custody at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, Michigan.

Mr. Gantchev's death comes amid a sharp and alarming rise in deaths in ICE detention nationwide. ICE has reported at least 30 detainee deaths in 2025, the highest number in over 20 years, including four deaths in just over four days in December.

"We all believe in a secure border, but securing our border does not require abandoning our commitment to the rule of law, and protecting and honoring human dignity. Indeed, DHS and ICE have a statutory mandate, internal policy obligations, and a fundamental duty to ensure the safety and humane treatment of individuals in their custody," said Michigan Reps. Stevens and Scholten in their letter. "The death of Mr. Gantchev, along with the deaths of other detainees in 2025 and numerous credible reports of mistreatment, raises serious concerns about detention practices in Michigan and nationwide. To ensure justice for those who have died in custody already, and safety of those currently detained, these concerns demand prompt answers and corrective action."

In the letter, the two Congresswomen requested that ICE provide preliminary findings of the investigation, specifically addressing:

• The adequacy of medical screening, care, and supervision provided to Mr. Gantchev.
• Whether ICE and facility staff followed all required procedures upon discovering Mr. Gantchev was unresponsive.
• Complaints lodged by Mr. Gantchev or others regarding his treatment, and actions taken in response.
• Current conditions and policies in operation at the North Lake facility, and a full report on staffing, the quality and availability of medical care, and previous internal investigations into detainees' complaints.

Reps. Stevens and Scholten emphasized that while the U.S. must maintain secure borders, it is equally essential that federal agencies uphold their statutory and policy obligations to ensure the safety and humane treatment of individuals in custody. They have requested a response by Friday, January 9, 2026.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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