ICE’s detained noncitizen population presents unique health care challenges. Some noncitizens come into the United States under dangerous conditions and may suffer from dehydration, injuries, misdiagnoses, or previously existing medical conditions.

IHSC recognizes the need for patient privacy, honors patient requests for same-gender or preferred-gender providers, and uses translation and dialect interpretation services when needed.

IHSC’s Motivation to Provide High Quality Health Care

Dr. Stewart D. Smith, IHSC Assistant Director, strongly believes in the mission and capabilities of the agency’s health care team.

IHSC’s Core Values

• Integrity. We consistently conduct business and deliver goods and services openly, honestly, and to the best of our ability.
• Commitment. We are committed to providing quality, cost-effective health care in collaboration and partnership with both federal and non-federal partners.
• Accountability. We are responsible for our personal and organizational decisions, actions, and results. We are good stewards of government funds and resources.
• Service. We strive to satisfy and meet the needs of the organization and stakeholders in support of immigration law enforcement.
• Excellence. We provide services and mission support utilizing highly qualified health care professionals to work toward achieving optimal outcomes.

IHSC Workforce

The IHSC workforce consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, dentists and administrators.

The IHSC Special Operations Unit (ISOU) works with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and provides health care to migrants on board USCG vessels to help stabilize and return the migrants to their country of origin. ISOU also provides medical support during ground, flight and sea operations. ISOU comprises specially trained PHS officers who, in addition to meeting the medical needs of detained noncitizens, liaise between law enforcement officials and key stakeholders.

ICE embraces nationally recognized performance standards for detention and health care delivery. IHSC conducts significant training to ensure excellent care for noncitizens. IHSC’s medical personnel undergo more scrutiny than any other integrated health delivery program in the nation. ICE enforces its standards with regular reviews, on-site assessments, and corrective action plans, if needed.

ICE Health Service Corps Accreditations and Credentials

• American Correction Association
• National Commission on Correctional Health Care
• National Practitioner Data Bank
• ICE Family Residential Standards
• ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards