Introduction
From October 2024 to August 2025, at least 16 individuals have lost their lives while under the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to official reports. Among these, four were Mexican nationals, and their cases highlight both medical deficiencies and the precarious conditions in immigration detention centers.
Key Cases
Jesús Molina Veya, 45 (Mexico)
On June 7, 2025, Jesús Molina Veya, a 45-year-old Mexican national detained at Stewart Detention Center (Lumpkin, GA), was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck tied to the upper bunk. Molina Veya, who entered ICE custody on May 15, had a history of hypertension but denied suicidal ideation or mental health issues during his initial assessment. Medical staff immediately initiated CPR, but he was pronounced dead at Phoebe Sumter Hospital shortly after.
José Manuel Sánchez Castro, 36 (Mexico)
José Manuel Sánchez Castro, 36, died in the medical unit of an ICE detention center in Washington. He had been placed under observation for opioid withdrawal syndrome, a condition for which he was medicated and daily assessed by medical staff. Despite treatment, Sánchez Castro exhibited severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, and weakness. On October 27, 2024, around 7 a.m., he was found unconscious near a large vomit area and declared dead shortly after.
Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas, 32 (Mexico)
Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas, 32, died at Central Arizona Florence Correctional Complex. He tested positive for COVID-19 just two weeks before his death and was receiving treatment for multiple medical conditions, including respiratory issues and a foot injury. He was found unconscious on the morning of August 31.
Abelardo Avelleneda Delgado, 68 (Mexico)
Abelardo Avelleneda Delgado, 68, died while being transported between a county jail in Georgia and Stewart Detention Center. He reportedly lost consciousness around 12:35 p.m. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and determined that Avelleneda Delgado had no pulse or respiration, declaring him dead. No further life-saving measures were reported.
Diversity of Nationalities Among Victims
In addition to the four Mexican nationals, who make up the majority of fatalities, other victims in fiscal year 2025 include two Vietnamese nationals, one Chinese, one Colombian, one Cuban, one Haitian, one Ukrainian, one Honduran, one Canadian, one Indian, one Ethiopian, and one Guyanese citizen. This diversity reflects the various nationalities present in detention centers and the critical conditions migrants from different regions face.
Miguel Ángel García Hernández, 32 (Mexico)
Miguel Ángel García Hernández, 32, died after being injured in an armed attack against an ICE detention center in Dallas, Texas, on September 24. The assailant, identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, opened fire from a nearby rooftop and subsequently committed suicide.
Rising Trend in Deaths Under Custody
ICE records show an upward trend in deaths under custody during the current administration. The 16 reported fatalities in fiscal year 2025 represent a 33% increase from 2024, when there were 12 deaths. This is a 300% increase from 2023, which saw only four fatalities.
According to reports published in compliance with the Department of Homeland Security National Security Appropriations Act, there has been a consistent upward trend for three consecutive years, with an accumulated growth of 400% from 2023 to 2025.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the victims? The victims include Mexican nationals, along with individuals from Vietnam, China, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Ukraine, Honduras, Canada, India, Ethiopia, and Guyana.
- What are the causes of death? Causes include medical neglect, COVID-19, and injuries from armed attacks.
- How many deaths have occurred? There have been 16 reported deaths from October 2024 to August 2025.
- What is the trend in deaths under custody? The number of deaths has increased by 33% from 2024 and 300% from 2023, making fiscal year 2025 the year with the most deaths since 2020.
