**6. Conclusions**

To avoid repeating the events of 2020, the U.S. must take more control over its detention estate. It should ensure that it meets its international obligations, and that ICE adheres to its own standards at all times. If the U.S. remains committed to detention as a primary means of immigration law enforcement, decisions to detain should be made more carefully and detention centers should be managed more strictly. Detention should be used sparingly so that facilities are not overcrowded and are able to provide the resources needed to combat the spread of infection. A more effective response also requires a detailed review of the operation of ICE facilities. ICE should not operate in a vacuum. It must be involved in pandemic and emergency response planning, and it should not be the judge of its own actions. It is important that we learn from this pandemic to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Ultimately, a holistic and human rights-based approach to reforming immigration detention is a necessary part of accomplishing this goal.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.

**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.

**Data Availability Statement:** Not applicable.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The author declares no conflict of interest.
