An altar for those who died in detention

Two chances to join

Remembering people the news forgets

Day of the Dead, observed on November 1 and 2, is a tradition from Mexico and across Latin America. Families build an ofrenda with photos, flowers, candles, water, and food to welcome back those who have died.

Human Rights Watch counted 52 deaths in ICE custody between January 20, 2025 and June 4, 2026, the most in any year since ICE was created. The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild counts at least 29 more in 2026 as of October 19, after ICE reported 33 in 2025. More than 60 people have died. Many were far from their families. Our altar makes room for every one of them.

These deaths happened in facilities across the country, not only at MDC Brooklyn. We remember all of them here, at a place where people are held today.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, “Dying in Detention” (June 25, 2026); NIPNLG. The counts use different methods and periods, and the most recent may be incomplete.

What to bring

• A flower, ideally cempasúchil (marigold), or any flower you have.
• An LED or battery candle. Open flames are hard to keep lit outdoors and are a fire risk.
• A name on a card or paper: someone who died in detention, if you know the name, or write "a person whose name we do not know."
• A photo or object for someone you have lost, only if you want to. The altar can hold your own loved ones too.
• Pan de muerto, water, or a small offering, if you like. Anything left will be cared for after the vigil.

Care and respect

• Come quietly. This is a place to remember, not a stage.
• Ask before you photograph anyone, and do not post photos of faces of families or detained people without their permission.
• Do not put the full names of people currently detained on the altar unless they or their family asked you to.
• You do not need to share a faith or a culture to take part. You only need to come with respect.

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