Deaths at Adult Detention Centers

August 3, 2021

ICE announced that Elba Maria Centeno Briones, a 37-year-old Nicaraguan woman in ICE custody, passed away on August 3, 2021, at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. Per ICE, Centeno Briones was tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at the El Valle Detention Center, and results came back positive the same day. Centeno Briones was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on July 26, 2021, after entering the U.S. near Brownsville, Texas, and was turned over to ICE on July 27.

ICE Press Release: Nicaraguan Woman in ICE Custody Passes Away in South Texas Hospital – March 17, 2021

ICE Detainee Death Report

March 17, 2021

ICE announced that Diego Fernando Gallego-Agudelo, a 45-year-old Colombian national in ICE custody, passed away on March 15, 2021, at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death is unknown. Per ICE, Mr. Gallego-Agudelo entered ICE custody at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas, on March 3. He had been hospitalized since March 6. According to BuzzFeed News, "The man appears to be the fourth person to have died in ICE custody this fiscal year, which started Oct. 1."

ICE Press Release: Colombian Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in South Texas Hospital – March 17, 2021

BuzzFeed News: A Colombian Man Seeking Asylum in the US Has Died in ICE Custody - March 16, 2021

ICE Detainee Death Report

February 8, 2021

ICE announced that Jesse Jermone Dean Jr., a 58-year-old Bahamian man in ICE custody, passed away on February 5, 2021, at the Calhoun County Jail in Battle Creek, Michigan. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death reported by emergency medical officials was “a medical emergency.” Per ICE, Mr. Dean was admitted to the jail’s medical monitoring unit on February 4 for complaining about his health earlier in the day. He was arrested by ICE on December 31, 2020, after being released from the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan.

ICE Press Release: Bahamian Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Michigan – February 8, 2021

ICE Detainee Death Report

January 31, 2021

ICE announced that Felipe Montes, a 57-year-old man from Mexico in ICE custody, passed away on January 30, 2021, at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death was reported to be “cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to complications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).” Mr. Montes was admitted into the hospital from the Stewart Detention Center on January 10, two weeks after his arrival into ICE custody on December 28, 2020.

ICE Press Release: Mexican Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Georgia Hospital – January 31, 2021

BuzzFeed News: A Mexican Man Died in ICE Custody After Testing Positive for COVID-19 – January 31, 2021

ICE Detainee Death Report

December 18, 2020

ICE announced that Anthony Jones, a 51-year-old man from the Bahamas, passed away on December 17, 2020, at the Adams County Detention Center in Natchez, Mississippi. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death is from a heart attack. At the time of his death, Mr. Jones was pending removal from the United States, and had been in ICE custody since April 11, 2019.

According to BuzzFeed News, he appears to be the first person to have died in ICE custody in FY2021. In FY2020, 21 immigrants died in ICE custody, the highest annual number since 2005.

ICE Press Release: Bahamian Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Mississippi – December 18, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A 51-Year-Old Man Died in ICE Custody This Week - December 18, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

September 26, 2020

ICE announced that Romien Jally, a 56-year-old man from the Marshall Islands, passed away on September 26, 2020, at the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana. The preliminary cause of death was reported by hospital medical officials to be complications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Mr. Jally was initially admitted to the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, Louisiana, on August 25, 2020, with a diagnosis of COVID-19. He was later transferred to Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital on August 28. Mr. Jally initially entered the United States on October 24, 2003, and was taken into ICE custody on May 1, 2020. He was in detention at the Winn Correctional Center, and was pending removal to the Marshall Islands.

ICE Press Release: Marshallese Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Louisiana Hospital – September 26, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

September 22, 2020

ICE announced that Cipriano Chavez-Alvarez, 61, a Mexican national who had been held at the Stewart Detention Center near Lumpkin, Georgia, died on September 21, 2020, at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbia, Georgia. The preliminary cause of death was reported to be “cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to complications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”

Mr. Chavez-Alvarez had been admitted to the hospital on August 15, 2020, 15 days after entry into ICE custody at the Irwin County Detention Center following his release from federal prison on July 31, 2020. He was then transferred to the Stewart Detention Center on August 5, 2020, and was pending removal to Mexico. Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, his was the third COVID-19 death at the facility this year.

ICE Press Release: Mexican Man in ICE Custody Passes Away at Georgia Hospital – September 22, 2020

AJC: A Week After Warning, ICE Detainee Dies from COVID-19 – September 21, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

September 1, 2020

ICE announced that Fernando Sabonger-Garcia, 50, a Honduran national in ICE custody passed away August 28, 2020, at the Conroe Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Conroe, Texas. The preliminary cause of death, per ICE, is respiratory failure due to complications from COVID-19. Mr. Sabonger-Garcia was transferred to CRMC on July 26 from the Joe Corley Processing Center after exhibiting COVID-19-related symptoms. A COVID-19 test was administered by CRMC medical staff on July 26 and came back positive the same day. According to BuzzFeed News, 50 people have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Joe Corley Processing Center since the beginning of the pandemic. In June, the Immigration Justice Campaign along with partners filed a group habeas petition in district court demanding the release of those detained in Corley.

Mr. Sabonger-Garcia entered ICE custody on July 7, 2020. He entered the United States in August 2019 and was taken into custody after encountering CBP. According to BuzzFeed News, this is the 19th death in ICE custody during FY2020, double that of last fiscal year, despite a significant drop in the immigrant detainee population.

ICE Press Release: Honduran Man in ICE Custody Passes Away at Houston-Area Hospital – September 1, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A 50-Year-Old Honduran Immigrant Who Died in ICE Custody Had Tested Positive for COVID-19 – August 30, 2020
Daily Beast: Lawyers Petition to Spring Asylum Seekers from Detention Amid Houston COVID Surge – June 26, 2020
AILA Press Statement: Advocates Demand Release of Individuals Endangered in Texas Detention Facility – June 24, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

August 12, 2020

ICE announced that Jose Guillen-Vega, 70, a Costa Rican national in ICE custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, died at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital on August 10, 2020. Mr. Guillen-Vega had been hospitalized since August 1, 2020, and the preliminary cause of death, per ICE, was determined by hospital medical staff to be “cardiopulmonary arrest, secondary to complications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”

Mr. Guillen-Vega entered the United States on a B-2 visa, and subsequently remained in the country. He entered ICE custody on July 10, 2020, following his release from state prison in North Carolina where he had been serving a sentence since 2001. He was subsequently transferred to the Stewart Detention Center, and at the time of his death, was awaiting removal. He is the 18th detainee to die in ICE custody during FY2020.

ICE Press Release: Costa Rican Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Georgia – August 12, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A 70-Year-Old Costa Rican Immigrant Who Died in ICE Custody Had Tested Positive for COVID-19 – August 11, 2020
AJC.com: Second ICE Detainee Dies from COVID-19 in Southwest Georgia – August 11, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

August 7, 2020

ICE announced that James Thomas Hill, a 72-year-old Canadian national, subject to mandatory detention at the Immigration Centers of America (ICA) Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, Virginia, died on August 5, 2020, at the Lynchburg General Hospital in Virginia. Mr. Hill was admitted to Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville, Virginia, on July 10, 2020, after reporting shortness of breath, before being transferred to Lynchburg General on July 11. Mr. Hill tested positive for COVID-19 on July 11, 2020.

Mr. Hill entered ICE custody on April 15, 2020, following his release from the Rivers Federal Correctional Institute in Winton, North Carolina. An immigration judge ordered his removal on May 12, 2020.

According to BuzzFeed News, the ICA Farmville Detention Center “has the second-highest number of positive COVID-19 tests among immigrant detainees at 290.” Also, according to BuzzFeed News, “The total number of ICE deaths so far this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, is now 17, making it the highest total since 2006, when 19 immigrants died, according to ICE records.”

ICE Press Release: Canadian Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Virginia – August 7, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

August 6, 2020

ICE announced that Kuan Hui Lee, a 51-year-old Taiwanese national in ICE custody at the Krome Service Processing Center in Florida, died on August 5, 2020, at the Kendall Regional Medical Center. Mr. Lee was found unresponsive by staff at Krome on July 31, and was taken to Kendall Regional on the same day. He was diagnosed with massive intercranial hemorrhage. Mr. Lee entered ICE custody on January 24, 2020, after his arrest by U.S. Border Patrol on January 23. Mr. Lee had legally entered the United States in 2004, but, per ICE, had “violated the terms of his admissions and overstayed his temporary visa status.”

ICE Press Release: Taiwanese Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Florida – August 6, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

July 16, 2020

ICE announced that a Guatemalan man named Luis Sanchez-Perez, 46, aka Mauricio Hernandez-Cabrera, 52, passed away on July 15, 2020, at the Ochsner LSU Monroe Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana, where he had been receiving inpatient care since February 26, 2020. He had been in ICE custody at the Catahoula Correctional Center since January 29, 2020. Per ICE, “The preliminary cause of death was ruled by hospital medical staff to be septic shock from pseudomonas leading to cardiopulmonary arrest.” At the time of his death, Mr. Sanchez-Perez was awaiting reinstatement of his removal order to Guatemala.

ICE Press Release: Guatemalan Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Louisiana – July 16, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

July 13, 2020

ICE announced that Onoval Perez-Montufa, a 51-year-old Mexican national in ICE’s custody, passed away at a Palm Beach County hospital where he had been receiving treatment for several weeks after reporting shortness of breath. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on July 2, 2020.

Mr. Perez-Montufa was a detainee at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, and was subject to mandatory detention by ICE owing to past convictions. At the time of his death, he was pending removal to Mexico.

ICE Press Release: A Mexican Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Florida – July 13, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

May 24, 2020

ICE announced that Santiago Baten-Oxlaj, 34, an immigrant from Guatemala in ICE custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, died on May 24, 2020, at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Georgia, due to complications related to COVID-19. He had been hospitalized since April 17, 2020.

Mr. Baten-Oxlaj was arrested by ICE ERO on March 2, 2020, at the Marietta, Georgia, Municipal Probation Office. On March 26, 2020, an immigration judge granted him voluntary departure to Guatemala. At the time of death, he was awaiting departure from the United States.

ICE Press Release: Guatemalan Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Georgia – May 25, 2020

BuzzFeed News: An Immigrant Man in ICE Custody Died After Contracting the Coronavirus – May 24, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

May 17, 2020

ICE issued a press release stating that Choung Won Ahn, a 74-year-old South Korean man, was pronounced dead at 9:52 pm local time on May 17, 2020, at the Mesa Verde Detention Facility in Bakersfield, California. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death appears to be “self-inflicted strangulation.”

Per ICE, Mr. Ahn was lawfully admitted as a permanent resident to the United States in 1998. He entered ICE custody on February 21 following his release from Solano State Prison. At the time of his death, Mr. Ahn was in custody pending removal proceedings. Per ACLU Southern California, “In March, a group of attorneys made an urgent plea to release Ahn and others with serious pre-existing health problems because of the high probability they could contract COVID-19 while in detention. But Ahn’s repeated pleas to be released were rejected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”

ICE Press Release: South Korean Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in California – May 19, 2020

ACLU Southern California: Immigrant, 74, Dies by Suicide in Mesa Verde Detention Facility – May 18, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

May 13, 2020

The Columbus Free Press reports that Oscar Lopez Acosta, who had been detained for 18 months at the Morrow County Correctional Facility, an ICE contracted county jail for ICE detainees, has died from COVID-19. Acosta was provisionally released from the jail on April 24, 2020, for being high-risk. The Columbus Free Press reports: “There is no way to know whether Acosta contracted the virus while at the Morrow County Correctional Facility, but it is almost a certainty. On May 6th, the Morrow County Health District stated 50 of the 80 inmates had become infected with the coronavirus.”

Columbus Free Press: Ohio’s First ICE Detainee Dies from COVID-19 – May 13, 2020

May 6, 2020

On May 6, 2020, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Carlos Ernesto Escobar-Mejia, a detainee at Otay Mesa Detention Center, had become the first person in immigration custody nationwide to die from COVID-19. ICE confirmed his death on May 7, 2020. Per ICE, Mr. Escobar-Mejia, who was 57 years old and from El Salvador, was pronounced dead by medical professionals at the Paradise Valley Hospital in National City, California, where he had been hospitalized since April 24, after exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms. A COVID-19 test administered to Mr. Escobar Mejia on April 24 had returned positive the same day. ICE notes that “the preliminary cause of death was listed as undetermined.”

Mr. Escobar-Mejia entered ICE custody on January 10, following his arrest by U. S. Border Patrol near Campo, California, and was transferred to ICE custody at Otay Mesa Detention Center due to pending removal proceedings. He was denied bond by an immigration judge on April 15. He had originally entered the United States in 1980. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Otay Mesa Detention Center facility “has become the biggest hot spot for the coronavirus among immigration detention centers nationwide.”

ICE Press Release: Salvadoran Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in San Diego – May 7, 2020

San Diego Union-Tribune: First ICE Detainee Dies from COVID-19 After Being Hospitalized from Otay Mesa Detention Center – May 6, 2020

The Appeal: “We Are Scared”: Stuck Inside ICE Detention’s Coronavirus Epicenter – May 6, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

March 21, 2020

ICE issued a press release stating that Ramiro Hernandez-Ibarra, a 42-year-old man from Mexico in ICE custody at the Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) in Los Fresnos, Texas, died Saturday, March 21, 2020, at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death was listed as complications related to septic shock.

ICE encountered Mr. Hernandez-Ibarra at the Hidalgo County Jail in Edinburg, Texas, on December 21, 2019. He entered ICE custody in January 15, 2020, and was taken to PIDC. At the time of his death, he was awaiting removal proceedings. BuzzFeed News reports that his death is the tenth in ICE custody since October when FY2020 began.

ICE Press Release: Mexican Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Texas – March 23, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A 42-Year-Old Mexican Man Has Died in ICE Custody – March 22, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

March 19, 2020

ICE issued a press release stating that a 27-year-old Honduran man died on March 18, 2020, at the Karnes County Residential Center in Karnes, Texas. Per ICE, the man was found unresponsive during a routine security check and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. The preliminary cause of death appears to be “self-inflicted strangulation,” but, per ICE, the case is currently under investigation.

The individual was encountered with a family member on February 19, 2020, by CBP at the Presidio, Texas, Port of Entry. They were issued an order of expedited removal and transferred to ICE custody at the Karnes facility on February 21. According to BuzzFeed News, the man had requested asylum as part of a ‘family unit’ and failed an initial asylum screening by a USCIS officer on February 28; an IJ upheld the decision on March 11.

According to BuzzFeed News, this is the ninth death in ICE custody in FY2020, and surpasses the number of deaths for the entire FY2019.

ICE Press Release: Honduran Man in ICE Custody Passes Away at Texas Family Residential Center – March 19, 2020

BuzzFeed News: An Immigrant Has Killed Himself In An ICE Family Detention Facility – March 19, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

March 8, 2020

Maria Celeste Ochoa Yoc de Ramirez, 22, a Guatemalan national in ICE custody at the Prairieland Detention Center (PDC) in Alvarado, Texas, died on March 8, 2020, at the Texas Health Downtown Forth Worth (THDFW) hospital. Per ICE, the cause of death was autoimmune hepatitis, complicated by septic shock and acute liver failure.

U.S. Border Patrol arrested Ms. Ochoa after she crossed into Texas without authorization in early September. On September 6, 2019, the Border Patrol transferred her to El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, where she entered ICE custody. On October 8, 2019, USCIS issued Ms. Ochoa a Notice to Appear following a positive credible fear determination. She remained in ICE custody where removal proceedings were initiated with EOIR. Ms. Ochoa was previously hospitalized in February for a medical procedure. On February 13, ERO Dallas transferred her to the PDC in Alvarado.

According to BuzzFeed News, this is the eighth death in ICE custody in FY2020.

ICE Press Release: ICE Detainee from Guatemala Passes Away in Texas – March 9, 2020

BuzzFeed News: Another Immigrant Has Died in ICE Custody. She’s the Eight Since October. – March 8, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

February 21, 2020

David Hernandez Colula, 34, a Mexican national in ICE custody at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC), Youngstown, Ohio, died on February 20, 2020, at the Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. Colula was transported to the hospital after facility staff found him unresponsive in his cell. The preliminary cause of death, per ICE, appears to be self-inflicted strangulation. Per ICE, Colula entered ICE custody on December 6, 2019, and transferred to the NEOCC to continue his immigration proceedings.

According to BuzzFeed News, this is the seventh death in ICE custody since October 2019.

DHS OIG Statement: The Office of Inspector General Completes Joint Investigation of an ICE Detainee Who Died at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, OH. – September 3, 2021

ICE Press Release: ICE Detainee from Mexico Passes Away in Ohio – February 21, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A Mexican Man Has Become the Seventh Immigrant to Die in ICE Custody Since October – February 20, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

January 27, 2020

A 63-year-old Cuban man in ICE custody passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020, at the Larkin Community Hospital in Miami. Per ICE, the man had been receiving inpatient medical treatment at the hospital since January 23; the preliminary cause of death was ruled to be cardiac arrest. ICE is withholding identity of the individual pending notification of next of kin.

ICE lodged an immigration detainer against the individual on January 2, 2020, after encountering him at the Turner Gilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami. He entered ICE custody on January 14 following his release from local criminal custody. Per ICE, the man was initially paroled into the United States in May 1980 in Key West, Florida, as a Cuban national arriving in the United States. At the time of his death, the individual was pending removal to Cuba.

According to BuzzFeed News, this is the sixth death in ICE custody since October 2019.

DHS OIG Statement: The Office of Inspector General Completes Investigation of a Cuban Citizen Who Died at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, FL. -September 3, 2021

ICE Press Release: Cuban Man in ICE Custody Passes Away at Florida Hospital – January 28, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A Cuban Man Has Become the Sixth Immigrant to Die in ICE Custody Since October – January 27, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

January 25, 2020

Ben James Owen, a 39-year-old British man, passed away at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, Florida, on Saturday, January 25, 2020. ICE noted that the preliminary cause of death appeared to be “self-inflicted strangulation.” Per ICE, Owen entered the country on a non-immigrant visa in July 2019. ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Owen on January 12, 2020, following his arrest that same day by the Port Orange Policy Department. Owen entered ICE custody on January 15, 2020, following his release from Volusia County criminal custody and was served with an NTA placing him into removal proceedings. BuzzFeed News reports that Owen is the fifth person to have died in ICE custody since October 2019.

ICE Press Release: United Kingdom Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Florida – January 27, 2020

BuzzFeed News: A British Man has Become the Fifth Immigrant to Die in ICE Custody Since October – January 27, 2020

CBS News: Death of British Immigrant Marks Third Apparent Suicide in ICE Custody in 4 Months – January 27, 2020

ICE Detainee Death Report

January 1, 2020

Samuelino Pitchout Mavinga, a 40-year-old native of Angola and citizen of France in ICE custody, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2019, at the Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The preliminary cause of death was identified as cardiac arrest. Per ICE, Mr. Mavinga was taken into CBP custody on November 11, 2019, “for remaining in the United States for a period longer than authorized,” and transferred into ICE custody on November 12. He was detained at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, New Mexico. On December 11, he was transferred to the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, New Mexico, and was transported to the Presbyterian Hospital the next day for medical treatment. According to Buzzfeed News, this is the fourth death in ICE custody in FY2020.

ICE Press Release: ICE Detainee Passes Away in Albuquerque Hospital

Buzzfeed News: A French Man Has Died While at a Hospital in ICE Custody – December 30, 2019

ICE Detainee Death Report

December 23, 2019

Anthony Oluseye Akinyemi, 56, a Nigerian citizen, passed away on December 21, 2019, at the Worcester County Jail in Snow Hill, Maryland, after he was found unresponsive in his cell and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death appears to be self-inflicted strangulation. Mr. Akinyemi had been ICE custody for less than 24 hours.

ICE Press Release: Nigerian Man in ICE Custody Passes Away in Maryland

NY Daily News: Nigerian Man Dead by Apparent Suicide in ICE Custody – December 23, 2019

ICE Detainee Death Report

October 16, 2019

Roylan Hernandez-Diaz, a 43-year-old man from Cuba who'd been ICE custody at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, passed away on October 15, 2019, at the facility. Mr. Hernandez-Diaz was found unresponsive in his cell and efforts by facility staff and emergency personnel to revive him were unsuccessful. Per ICE, the preliminary cause of death appears to be "self-inflicted strangulation." Mr. Hernandez-Diaz entered ICE custody on May 20, 2019, two days after he was encountered by CBP at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas. At the time of his death, Mr. Hernandez-Diaz's case was pending before the federal immigration courts.

ICE Press Release: ICE detainee passes away in Louisiana

CBS News: Cuban immigrant dies in ICE custody – October 16, 2019

ICE Detainee Death Report

October 2, 2019

Nebane Abienwi, a 37-year-old man from Cameroon who’d been ICE custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, California, passed away on October 1, 2019, at the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. The medical staff identified the cause of death as brain death secondary to basal ganglia hemorrhage. According to DHS records, Mr. Abienwi applied for admission into the United States without proper entry documents on September 5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and was transferred to ICE custody on September 9. He was taken to the Chula Vista Medical Center on September 24 after experiencing a hypertensive event. Buzzfeed News reports that this is the first death in ICE custody in FY2020. Eight individuals passed away in ICE custody in FY2019.

ICE Press Release: ICE detainee passes away at Chula Vista Hospital

Buzzfeed News: A Man From Cameroon Has Died in ICE Custody in San Diego – October 2, 2019

ICE Detainee Death Report

September 12, 2019

Roberto Rodriguez-Espinoza, a 37-year-old Mexican national who'd been in ICE custody at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility (MCACF) in Woodstock, Illinois, died September 10 at the Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. Rodriguez-Espinoza was placed into ICE custody on September 3, 2019, and was taken to the Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital emergency room on September 7 due to confusion. He was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage on September 8 at the Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital in Huntley, Illinois, and was then transferred to Central DuPage Hospital, where he failed to respond during a neurological exam. The attending physicians identified subdural hematoma as the preliminary cause of death. Per ICE, Rodriguez-Espinoza is the eighth individual to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2019.

ICE Press Release: ICE detainee from Mexico passes away at Illinois hospital

Buzzfeed News: A Mexican Man Has Died In ICE Custody. He's The 8th Death In US Custody This Year.

ICE Detainee Death Report

July 25, 2019

Pedro Arriago-Santoya, a 44-year-old Mexican national who’d been in ICE custody awaiting removal at the Stewart Detention Facility in Lumpkin, Georgia, passed away at the Piedmont Midtown Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia, on July 24. The preliminary cause of death has been identified as cardio-pulmonary arrest, secondary to multi-organ system failure, endocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy with a low ejection fraction and respiratory failure. Mr. Arriago-Santoya was taken to the hospital on July 20 after complaining of abdominal pain. Per ICE, he is the seventh individual to pass away in ICE custody in FY2019.

ICE Press Release: ICE Detainee Passes Away at Georgia Hospital
BuzzFeed News: A Mexican Man Has Died in ICE Custody in Georgia

ICE Detainee Death Report

July 1, 2019

Yimi Alexis Balderramos-Torres, 30, entered ICE custody on June 6. On June 18, Balderramos-Torres was transferred to the Houston Contract Detention Facility (HCDF) in Houston, Texas. On June 30, Balderramos-Torres was found unresponsive in his dormitory. Attempts by medical personnel from ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS)to revive Balderramos-Torres were unsuccessful. EMS immediately transferred him to MHNH; MHNH medical staff pronounced him deceased on June 30 at 6:45 am (CT).

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in Houston-area hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

June 3, 2019

NBC News reports that Johana Medina Leon, 25, complained of chest pains and was brought to Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. The transgender woman from El Salvador seeking asylum in the United States died June 1, 2019, in a Texas hospital four days after being released from custody.

May 6, 2019

Simratpal Singh, 21, an Indian national in ICE custody at the La Paz County Jail (LPCJ) passed away after efforts by medical staff to revive him were unsuccessful. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at the La Paz County Jail

ICE Detainee Death Report

April 4, 2019

Abel Reyes-Clemente, 54, a Mexican national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Florence Service Processing Center (SPC) passed away Wednesday morning after efforts by medical staff and local paramedics to revive him were unsuccessful. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at the Florence Service Processing Center

ICE Detainee Death Report

December 3, 2018

A Russian national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Baker County Detention Center died Friday afternoon at a Jacksonville hospital after he went into cardiac arrest and efforts by hospital medical staff to revive him were unsuccessful.

Guerman Volkov, 56, was pronounced dead at University of Florida Health Jacksonville Medical Center. Mr. Volkov died two days after he was discharged from another Jacksonville hospital after he made the decision to discontinue all medical treatment. The official cause of Mr. Volkov’s death is under investigation but is believed to be cardiac-related natural causes.

ICE press release: Russian national in ICE custody passes away at Florida hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

November 26, 2018

Mergensana Amar, 40, a Russian national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was removed from life support Saturday afternoon, after attempting to take his own life on Nov. 15.

After finding Amar unresponsive in his cell at the Northwest Detention Center on Nov. 15, medical staff at the detention center immediately called 911 and began efforts to resuscitate him. Amar was rushed to Saint Joseph's Medical Center in Tacoma, admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit, and placed on life support. While Amar remained on life support through Nov. 24, medical records will mark his official date of passing as Nov. 18, as brain activity ceased on that day. The preliminary cause of death has been identified as anoxic brain injury due to asphyxiation.

Despite his previous participation in a hunger strike, Amar remained in good physical health prior to this incident and was monitored daily by ICE Health Service Corps medical professionals. While he refused meals provided by the detention center for a number of days, he began consuming fresh fruit, electrolytes and meal replacement shakes on Sep. 19, consuming sufficient calories to be removed from hunger strike status on October 16. ICE has not previously released the timeline of his hunger strike status due to Amar's repeated threats to resume the hunger strike should its end be made public.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at local hospital

DHS OIG Completes Investigation of Russian Non-Citizen Who Was in ICE Custody Prior to Death - November 10, 2021

• DHS OIG investigated the death of a Russian non-citizen detained by ICE. The individual received medical and mental health care and was kept on suicide watch. No ICE policies were violated, but GEO staff failed to search the individual’s cell for impermissible items each time they left the cell.

ICE Detainee Death Report

November 2, 2018

Wilfredo Padron, 58, was pronounced dead at Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC) in Key West, at 7:17 a.m. The official cause of death remains under investigation but it is believed to be "cardiac-related natural causes." The Cuban national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Monroe County Detention Center (MCDC) in Key West, Florida, died Thursday at an area hospital after he was found unresponsive in his cell and efforts by facility staff and emergency personnel to revive him were unsuccessful.

ICE press release: ICE Detainee Passes Away at Monroe County Hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

July 26, 2018

Augustina Ramirez-Arreola, a 62-year-old Mexican national was pronounced dead on July 26, 2018, by medical staff at the Alvarado Hospital in La Mesa, California, while in the custody of ICE. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death. The preliminary cause was identified by hospital staff as complications from surgery. Ms. Ramirez-Arreola had been transferred to the hospital from ICE's Otay Mesa Detention Center earlier in the day for a scheduled surgery to treat a heart abnormality.

ICE press release: ICE Detainee Passes Away

ICE Detainee Death Report

July 12, 2018

Efrain De La Rosa, 40, a Mexican national, was pronounced dead at Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center in Cuthbert, Georgia, at 11:29 p.m. Stewart facility staff conducting scheduled monitoring discovered Mr. De La Rosa unresponsive in his cell at approximately 10:38 p.m. Facility staff and medical personnel immediately began to perform CPR and contacted Stewart County Emergency Medical Services, which arrived at the facility at 10:48 p.m. The preliminary cause of death appears to be self-inflicted strangulation; however, the case is currently under investigation.

ICE press release: ICE Detainee Passes Away at Georgia Hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

June 16, 2018

Huy Chi Tran, 47, a Vietnamese national, was transferred to ICE custody on May 25, 2018, and transferred to the Eloy Detention Center on May 28, 2018, pending removal to Vietnam. Mr. Tran was found unresponsive on June 5, 2018, and local paramedics transported him to the Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. He was declared deceased on June 12, 2018; an autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

ICE press release: ICE Detainee Passes Away at the Eloy Detention Facility

ICE Detainee Death Report

June 8, 2018

Zeresenay Ermias Testfatsion, 34, a Eritrean national in transit to his home country, was being held by Egyptian authorities as he awaited removal to Asmara, Eritrea. Egyptian authorities later notified ICE that they found him deceased in a shower area. Egyptian officials later transported the remains to Heliopolis Hospital.

ICE press release: ICE Detainee Passes Away in Transit to Home Country

Matthew Hoppock submitted a FOIA for Zeresenay Ermias Testfatsion's A file, and USCIS posted a redacted version in response.

May 25, 2018

Roxana Hernandez, 33, a Honduran woman, entered ICE custody on May 13 in San Diego. Two days later, ERO San Diego transferred her to ERO El Paso, and on May 16 Hernandez arrived at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico, where she was housed in the transgender unit. Medical staff pronounced her deceased May 25 at 3:32 a.m. (MDT), and identified the preliminary cause of death as cardiac arrest. On May 9, 2018, Hernandez was processed as an expedited removal when she applied for admission at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California. Advocacy groups identified the deceased’s first name as Roxana.

ICE press release: ICE Detainee from Honduras Passes Away in New Mexico Hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

May 21, 2018

Ronald Cruz, a 39-year-old Honduran national, died May 16, 2018, at the Valley Baptist Medical Center. Mr. Cruz was arrested on May 9, 2018, for unauthorized entry into the United States and transferred to ICE’s Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) on May 14, 2018. He was transferred to Valley Baptist Medical Center’s intensive care unit on May 16, 2018, where medical staff pronounced him deceased later that day. The preliminary cause of death was identified as cardiac arrest.

ICE press release: South Texas ICE Detainee from Honduras Passes Away in Local Hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

April 12, 2018

Gourgen Mirimanian, 54, an Armenian national, died April 10, 2018, at the Texas Health Huguley Hospital. He entered ICE custody at the Prairieland Detention Center (PDC) in Alvarado, Texas, on February 6, 2018. On December 12, 2017, ICE deportation officers encountered Mr. Mirimanian at a Bureau of Prisons facility in Fort Worth, and lodged an immigration detainer on him. On February 6, 2018, the Bureau of Prisons released Mirimanian to ICE custody.

ICE press release: Dallas-area ICE detainee passes away at local hospital

ICE Detainee Death Report

February 21, 2018

Luis Ramirez-Marcano, 59, a Cuban national, was transported February 17, to KRMC when ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) medical personnel at the Krome Detention Center determined he should be taken to an emergency room for treatment after complaints of abdominal pain. He passed away the afternoon of February 19. Mr. Ramirez-Marcano had been in ICE custody since January 12 pending his removal to Cuba.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami

January 31, 2018

Yulio Castro-Garrido, 33, a Cuban national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) died Tuesday night at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Yulio Castro-Garrido, 33, was transported Jan. 7 to Southwest Regional Medical Center (SWRMC) in Cuthbert, Ga. after ICE Health Service Corps (ISHC) medical personnel at the Stewart Detention Center (SDC) in Lumpkin, Ga. diagnosed him with pneumonia. Mr. Castro entered ICE custody on Nov. 24, following his transfer from the D. Ray James Federal Correctional Institute in Folkston, Ga. Castro was convicted Dec 8, 2016 of conspiracy to transport and move an undocumented alien within the United States by means of transportation and sentenced to a year and one day of confinement and three years of supervised probation. An immigration judge with the Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Castro to be removed to Cuba Jan. 4; Mr. Castro waived his right to appeal.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away

December 4, 2017

Kamyar Samimi, 64, entered ICE custody at the Aurora Contract Detention Facility (ACDF) on November 17, 2017. ACDF personnel contacted emergency medical services (EMS) when Samimi fell ill on December 2, 2017. After EMS arrived, he became unresponsive and EMS began CPR and transported Samimi to University of Colorado Medical Center (UCMC) in Aurora, Colorado, where he was pronounced dead by UCMC medical staff at 12:02 pm, with the preliminary cause of death being cardiac arrest.

ICE press release: Denver-area ICE Detainee Passes Away at Local Hospital

September 18, 2017

Felipe Almazan-Ruiz, 51, entered ICE custody in Miami, Florida, on July 12, 2017. On September 8, Almazan-Ruiz was transferred from the Glades County (Florida) Detention Center to the IAH Secure Adult Detention Center in Livingston, Texas, due to an evacuation from Hurricane Irma.

On September 12, Almazan-Ruiz was initially treated by medical staff at the IAH Secure Adult Detention Center and transported to the Livingston Memorial hospital emergency room for treatment of cirrhosis of the liver. He was later transferred and admitted to the Conroe Regional Medical Center because of the high volume activity and limited bed-space at the Livingston Memorial hospital. He died about 5:15 a.m. (CDT) on September 17.

ICE press release: Houston-area detainee passes away at local hospital

September 5, 2017

Osvadis Montesino-Cabrera, 37, a Cuban national, died at Larkin Community Hospital one week after he was found unresponsive in his hospital shower after a self-inflicted strangulation attempt. Mr. Montesino-Cabrera is the 11th detainee to pass away in ICE custody in FY2017.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Larkin Community Hospital

June 12, 2017

Carlos Mejia-Bonilla, 44, a Salvadorian national in the custody of ICE passed away from internal bleeding and hemorrhagic shock. On June 8, 2017, he was admitted to the Jersey City Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit due to gastrointestinal bleeding. On June 10, 2017, Mr. Mejia died due to complications resulting from his condition.

ICE press release: New York-area ICE detainee passes away

June 2, 2017

Vicente Caceres-Maradiaga, 46, a Honduran national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, collapsed while playing soccer at the Adelanto Detention Facility in California. He passed away a short time later while in an ambulance as he was being transported to Victorville hospital.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away en route to Victorville hospital

May 17, 2017

Atulkumar Babubhai Patel, 58, an Indian national who was briefly in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Atlanta City Detention Center for two days died Tuesday afternoon at an Atlanta hospital. The preliminary cause of death has been ruled to be complications from congestive heart failure.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Atlanta hospital

May 15, 2017

Jean Jimenez-Joseph, 27, a Panamanian national in the custody of ICE died Monday at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, GA, he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Stewart Detention Facility in Lumpkin, GA.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Georgia hospital

April 14, 2017

Sergio Alonso Lopez, 55, passed away at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, CA, due to internal bleeding.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in Victorville medical center

March 28, 2017

Osmar Epifanio Gonzalez-Gadba, 32, a Nicaraguan national, passed away at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, CA, six days after he attempted to commit suicide.

ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in Victorville medical center

March 14, 2017

Roger Rayson, 47, a Jamaican national in the custody of ICE died Monday at Lafayette General Hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana. The cause of death is believed to be cardiac arrest.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in Louisiana hospital

November 28, 2016

Raquel Calderon de Hildago, 36, from Guatemala, was pronounced dead by hospital personnel at 11:17 a.m. following a series of seizures. Medical staff at the Eloy Detention Center called paramedics after Calderon suffered a seizure. Database checks indicate she had no criminal history in the United States.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Arizona hospital

Wenceslau Esmerio Campos, 49, had been detained at the South Texas Detention Complex, in Pearsall, Texas. On November 23, 2016, at 6:43 p.m. the ICE Health Service Corps notified ICE officials that Campos would be taken to the Frio Regional Hospital in Pearsall, Texas, for medical evaluation due to chest pains. On November 25, at 8:55 a.m., Campos was pronounced dead by Methodist Hospital officials. On October 23, 2016, Campos illegally reentered the United Sates near Hidalgo, Texas, where he was arrested by CBP Border Patrol agents. He was turned over to ICE and taken to the South Texas Detention Complex where he remained until he became ill and passed away.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at South Texas hospital

October 26, 2016

Olubunmi Toyin Joshua, 54, from the United Kingdom, who had been detained at the Rolling Plains Detention Center in Haskell, Texas, died at Haskell Hospital in West Texas.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at a West Texas hospital

September 28, 2016

Moises Tino-Lopez, 23, from Guatemala, died at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in Nebraska hospital

July 29, 2016

Santo Carela, 60, from the Dominican Republic died at Orange Regional Medical Center in New York.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in New York hospital

June 14, 2016

Luis Alonso Fino Martinez, 54, from Honduras, was taken from the Essex County Detention Facility to University Hospital via ambulance June 13. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in New Jersey hospital

June 2, 2016

Juan Luis Boch-Paniagua, 36, from Guatemala died at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away in Louisiana hospital

May 3, 2016

Igor Zyazin, 46, from Russia died at Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, CA.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at San Diego-area detention facility

May 2, 2016

Jose Leonardo Lemus Rajo, 23, from El Salvador died at Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami, Florida.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Miami hospital

April 8, 2016

Rafael Barcenas-Padilla, 50, from Mexico died at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away at Texas hospital

March 18, 2016

Thongchay Saengsiri, 65, from Laos died at LaSalle General Hospital in Jena, Louisiana.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away after suffering heart attack

January 25, 2016

Saul Enrique Banegas-Guzman, 46, from Honduras died at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana.
ICE press release: ICE detainee dies at Louisiana hospital

December 24, 2015

Jose Manuel Azurida-Hernandez, 54, from Guatemala died at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, California.
ICE press release: ICE detainee passes away after suffering heart attack