Raymondville, Texas — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates a detention facility here that has recently faced intensified scrutiny amid a troubling spike in in-custody deaths. In 2025, 32 individuals died while detained by ICE, marking the highest annual toll in over two decades. Disturbingly, just three weeks into 2026, reports indicate that at least six more detainees have lost their lives.
The surge in fatalities has raised alarms among advocates and family members, many of whom attribute these deaths to inadequate medical care. Recent findings reveal that in October 2025, ICE ceased funding for third-party medical treatments, limiting detainees’ access to essential healthcare. This decision has reportedly resulted in numerous cancellations of necessary treatments as facilities struggle to provide adequate care. Furthermore, the number of detainees in ICE facilities has increased dramatically, soaring from fewer than 40,000 in January 2025 to over 73,000.
Among the recent deaths, the case of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban national, has drawn significant attention. Campos, who had been in U.S. custody since 1996 and was facing deportation, died at the Camp East Montana facility after being placed in segregation following a disturbance over medication. Initially reported as a death due to medical distress, subsequent investigations indicated that his death may be classified as a homicide, with eyewitness accounts suggesting he struggled with staff prior to succumbing.
Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, a 42-year-old from Honduras, also passed away within this troubling timeframe. He had faced severe health complications, including congenital heart failure, after being arrested on November 17. Nunez’s family reported that his medical needs went unaddressed until he was hospitalized on Christmas Eve. Tragically, he succumbed to multiple medical emergencies soon after.
The experiences of other detainees reveal systemic failings. Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, age 68, suffered from untreated health issues following his arrest in November, eventually leading to his death in early January. Family members expressed frustration over the apparent neglect of his medical complaints, emphasizing that timely intervention could have potentially saved his life.
In Philadelphia, Parady La, a 46-year-old immigrant from Cambodia, died from complications related to drug withdrawal, even after informing staff about his condition. His family raised concerns over the adequacy of the treatment he received while in custody and questioned the use of emergency overdose medication, given his situation.
The Camp East Montana facility has been under scrutiny from human rights advocates for alleged inhumane conditions, with reports detailing significant neglect and abuse. Congressman Veronica Escobar of Texas has criticized the facility, calling for its closure, while the Department of Homeland Security has denied claims of maltreatment within these environments.
On January 14, additional tragedy struck when Heber Sanchez Dominguez, a 34-year-old Mexican national, was found dead in his cell in Georgia. ICE officials reported an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, leaving unanswered questions for his family and advocates.
The rapid increase in detainee deaths has ignited an outcry for reform within ICE, calling into question the adequacy of medical and psychological care provided to individuals in custody. With new revelations continuing to emerge, the scrutiny on ICE and its treatment of detainees is likely to intensify as families seek accountability for their loved ones’ tragic fates.