AURORA, Colorado: A newly released report has shed light on the death of an immigrant in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The report found that the government failed to meet multiple standards intended to protect detainees’ health. As a result, serious questions are being raised about the conditions within ICE detention centers, especially at a time when the Biden administration is detaining increasing numbers of migrants amid a surge in border crossings.
Melvin Ariel Calero-Mendoza, a 39-year-old man from Nicaragua seeking asylum in the U.S., died while in the custody of the Aurora ICE Processing Center in Colorado. It was found that his death was caused by a pulmonary embolism, which could have been prevented, as Calero-Mendoza had reported severe pain in his legs and feet to the facility’s medical staff three times prior to his death.
Further adding to the inadequacy of care, the facility’s medical director explained away potentially dangerous symptoms, attributing them to the high altitude location of Denver. In addition, the investigation failed to address a 911 call made from the facility after Calero-Mendoza collapsed, indicating a disorganized and inadequate emergency response.
ICE’s delayed release of the report, its failure to address the findings, and the ongoing refusal to provide detailed medical records have frustrated Calero-Mendoza’s family and raised concerns about the level of care provided to detainees in ICE facilities. This situation also brings to light the larger issue of ICE’s growing reliance on for-profit companies to run detention facilities, despite promises from the Biden administration to move away from this practice.
The death of Calero-Mendoza is not an isolated incident. Previous reports from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties have found multiple instances of inadequate medical care and failures in treatment within the Aurora ICE Processing Center.
As questions and concerns continue to grow, it is clear that more transparency and accountability are needed within ICE detention centers, as well as a reevaluation of the government’s approach to detaining immigrants.