WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) system for reimbursing medical care providers for services rendered to immigrant detainees has effectively collapsed, resulting in a significant backlog of unpaid claims and potential disruptions in detainee healthcare, according to recently released records.

Federal documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act detail more than 233,000 claims for off-site medical and dental care submitted between January and early October 2025. DHS paid approximately $96 million during this period for a wide range of treatments affecting detained individuals, including serious conditions such as strokes, pregnancy-related care, suicide attempts, and frostbite.

Historically, DHS relied on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) financial services unit to manage the payment processing for these claims. However, this arrangement abruptly ended on October 3, 2025. Since then, the company subcontracted to develop a new payment system has not yet begun reimbursing healthcare providers, leaving many clinics, dental offices, and pharmacies with outstanding bills for nearly a year.

Advocates for immigrant detainees have expressed concern that the failure to compensate medical providers promptly may discourage services or lead to delays in treatment for those in detention. The interruption in payments raises questions about the continuity of care as providers face financial strain from uncompensated work.

The released records, made public by the VA and shared with advocacy groups, provide the most detailed accounting to date of off-site medical care for detainees. They reveal the breadth of medical issues treated outside of detention centers, underscoring the complexity and urgency of healthcare needs among detained populations.

Officials from DHS have not publicly commented on the status of the new payment system or the full extent of the financial backlog. Meanwhile, healthcare providers and advocates continue to monitor the impact on detainee health services amid the ongoing administrative challenges.