U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported the third death of an undocumented immigrant at the Camp East Montana facility in El Paso, Texas. This unfortunate event occurred less than six weeks after the second death at this location, which serves as one of the largest ICE detention camps in the nation.
Details of the Incident
The deceased has been identified as Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old immigrant from Nicaragua. ICE stated that Diaz was found unconscious and unresponsive in his room on January 14, at 4:09 p.m. Despite being administered lifesaving measures, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
- Victim: Victor Manuel Diaz
- Age: 36
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Date of Incident: January 14, 2023
- Location: Camp East Montana, El Paso, Texas
ICE has indicated that Diaz’s death is presumed to be a suicide; however, the official cause is still under investigation. The agency has not elaborated on the reasoning behind this presumption.
Previous Deaths at the Facility
This incident marks the third recent death at the facility, which opened in August 2022. The facility currently houses 2,903 detainees as of January 8, according to ICE data.
- Francisco Gaspar-Andres
- Age: 48
- Country: Guatemala
- Date of Death: December 3, 2022
- Cause: Pending, attributed to natural liver and kidney failure.
- Geraldo Lunas Campos
- Age: 55
- Country: Cuba
- Date of Death: January 3, 2023
- Cause: Under investigation; experienced medical distress.
Both Gaspar-Andres and Campos’s deaths are also under scrutiny, with ICE having made statements about the care provided at the facility during these incidents.
Concerns Raised
The recent deaths have sparked concerns among various members of Congress regarding the safety and care standards upheld at Camp East Montana. Lawmakers and advocates have called for further investigations into the circumstances surrounding these fatalities.
ICE has asserted its commitment to providing a safe and humane environment for all detainees, despite the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding the detention center.
As investigations continue into the causes of death for all three individuals, the situation remains a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges within the immigration enforcement system in the United States.
