Recent findings from an autopsy report have confirmed that the death of a Cuban immigrant in a Texas detention facility was ruled a homicide. Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old man and father of four, died on January 3, 2026, following a violent confrontation with guards at the Camp East Montana facility.
Incident Details
Initially, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that Lunas Campos was attempting suicide and that staff members tried to intervene. However, eyewitness accounts contradicted this narrative. Witnesses reported that Lunas Campos was restrained by five guards, with one applying pressure around his neck, leading to his loss of consciousness.
Death Statistics in ICE Custody
Tragically, Lunas Campos was among four immigrants who died in federal immigration custody within the first ten days of January 2026. Last year alone, 30 individuals died while in ICE custody, marking the highest number in two decades.
Cause of Death
The autopsy conducted by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed signs of struggle, including multiple abrasions and hemorrhaging in his neck. The autopsy concluded that asphyxia was the cause of death, specifically due to neck and torso compression. This finding has sparked significant concern over how detainees are treated in ICE facilities.
Call for Accountability
Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat representing the El Paso district, has demanded urgent action from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She called for a full briefing from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE director Todd M. Lyons regarding the alarming pattern of deaths at Camp East Montana. Escobar emphasized the need to preserve evidence and halt any attempts to deport witnesses.
Context of Lunas Campos’s Detention
Lunas Campos entered the U.S. legally in 1996 as part of a wave of Cuban immigrants. He had been living in New York for over two decades before being detained by ICE due to past criminal convictions, including a felony for sexual contact with a minor and drug-related offenses.
Recent Policy Criticisms
Following Lunas Campos’s death, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described him as a “criminal illegal alien and convicted child sex predator.” This framing has drawn criticism and raises questions about the treatment of detainees and the conditions within immigration facilities.
Ongoing Investigations
The incident has intensified scrutiny of the operational practices at Camp East Montana, which has been reported to be the largest detention facility in the U.S. A private contractor without prior experience in corrections is managing the facility under a $1.2 billion government contract.
As investigations continue, the community and advocates are calling for reforms in the treatment of immigrants in detention, particularly concerning physical restraint practices and the transparency of ICE operations.
