The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) is the only entity in ICE with the responsibility of providing direct patient care. IHSC is made up of a workforce of approximately 1,650 employees that includes U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps officers, federal civil servants and contract health professionals. IHSC is committed to providing health care services to reduce global disease and support the safe apprehension, enforcement and removal of detained individuals involved in immigration proceedings.
ICE Health Care System
IHSC provides direct care to over 118,000 noncitizens housed at 19 IHSC-staffed facilities throughout the nation to include medical, dental and mental health care, and public health services. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, IHSC oversaw health care for over 120,500 detained noncitizens housed in 163 non-IHSC staffed facilities and directly supported ICE field leadership on medical issues within their area of responsibility. In many instances, the care detained noncitizens receive while in ICE custody is the first professional medical care they have received, and it is common for health screenings to identify chronic and serious health conditions that were previously undiagnosed.
ICE’s detained noncitizen population presents unique health care challenges. Some noncitizens have recently come into the United States under dangerous conditions and may suffer from dehydration, injuries, misdiagnoses, or previously existing medical conditions.
Noncitizens within IHSC-staffed facilities receive timely medical care. The care includes a health screening within 12 hours of arrival, and a complete health assessment within 14 days. A medical delivery care person staffs each facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week for direct patient access.
Noncitizens identified as high-risk during the intake process are triaged to a higher level of care immediately. If at any time a patient verbalizes an issue such as, “I feel very bad” or “I don’t have the medicine I need,” a nurse or mid-level practitioner contacts a physician, so the patient is seen within 24 hours.
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 Vision
To be the best health care delivery system in detention and correctional health care.
IHSC’s Mission
Provide the safe delivery of high-quality health care to those in ICE custody.
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 consists of specially trained PHS officers who, in addition to meeting the medical needs of detainees, serve as liaisons between law enforcement officials and key stakeholders.
ICE family residential centers in Dilley and Karnes, Texas, have their own standardized care delivery system to accommodate a population that includes women and children. These centers provide training that includes: parenting classes, school for children with certified teachers, language classes, social skill training, social networking, nutrition classes, internet training, library training and how to use a law library.
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