An Associated Press investigation has found an increase in suicide deaths among Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees, according to a review of agency records and cases.

The investigation highlighted individual cases, including that of Brayan Rayo Garzón, who died while in ICE custody at a Missouri detention facility. Rayo had been placed in isolation for four days while experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, including fever and chills.

According to records reviewed by the AP, Rayo's request for mental health treatment had been delayed. Facility staff had also restricted his ability to make his regular phone calls to his mother as a precautionary measure related to preventing illness transmission.

The AP's review examined suicide deaths in ICE detention facilities and found what it characterized as an unprecedented number of such deaths. The investigation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of conditions in immigration detention facilities and policies governing the treatment of detainees.

ICE operates a network of detention facilities across the United States to house immigrants awaiting deportation proceedings or other immigration-related processes. The agency has faced previous criticism regarding medical care and mental health services provided to detainees in its custody.