The ongoing issue of immigrant detainee deaths at the Camp East Montana facility in El Paso, Texas, has intensified concerns over inmate safety and care. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the recent passing of a detainee, marking the third death at the site in just 44 days.

ICE Reports Third Immigrant Detainee Death

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old immigrant from Nicaragua, was pronounced dead on January 3, following his discovery “unconscious and unresponsive” in his room. ICE initially encountered him in Minneapolis before his transfer to the El Paso facility, based at Fort Bliss, an Army base.

Details Surrounding the Incident

According to ICE, Diaz’s death is presumed to be a suicide, though the official cause is still under investigation. The agency did not disclose the rationale behind labeling it as such when contacted for clarification.

Previous Deaths at the Facility

Two other deaths preceded Diaz’s. Francisco Gaspar-Andres, a 48-year-old from Guatemala, died on December 3, 2022, attributed to natural liver and kidney failure. Another detainee, 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos from Cuba, died on January 3 after experiencing medical distress. The causes of both deaths remain under investigation.

Victor Manuel Diaz: 36, Nicaraguan, found deceased on January 3, presumed suicide.
Francisco Gaspar-Andres: 48, Guatemalan, died on December 3, 2022, from natural causes.
Geraldo Lunas Campos: 55, Cuban, died on January 3, 2023, after medical distress.

Facility Overview and Conditions

Camp East Montana, which employs tent-style structures, has a capacity of 2,903 detainees and opened in August 2022. This facility represents a shift in ICE’s approach to immigration enforcement, favoring temporary structures over traditional detention centers.

In light of these incidents, there has been growing scrutiny from Congress regarding the safety and treatment of detainees at this facility.

ICE maintains its commitment to providing a safe environment for detainees. However, inquiries regarding the reasons behind the deaths and the treatment of individuals in custody continue to raise critical questions about facility conditions.