Families Deserve to Know Act

The Families Deserve to Know Act requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to notify designated emergency contacts within specific timeframes if an individual in its custody dies or suffers a serious illness or injury. The bill mandates that ICE collect and update contact information at the time of detention, provide notifications in a compassionate manner, and share detailed medical and death information with families and legal counsel. It applies to all government-owned and privately operated detention facilities, imposing strict civil penalties on contractors for failing to comply with these notification requirements. Additionally, the legislation allows affected individuals or their families to sue for damages if ICE violates the act and requires regular reporting to Congress regarding deaths in custody and compliance efforts.