Tragic Deaths at Texas Immigration Detention Center Raise Concerns
A Nicaraguan immigrant was discovered dead at a Texas immigration detention center last week, with indications pointing to a suicide. Victor Manuel Diaz was found deceased at the U.S. Army's Fort Bliss base in El Paso, where he was being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Diaz had been detained as part of a federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota and was later transferred to Texas. He had entered the U.S. in March 2024 and was ordered to leave the country in an August hearing that he did not attend. ICE reported that Diaz received a final removal order just two days before he was found unconscious in his room.
The circumstances surrounding Diaz's death remain under federal investigation, and ICE has not disclosed further details. This incident occurred at the same facility where another detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, died earlier this month. Lunas Campos' death was initially believed to be a suicide, but a preliminary examination by the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office revealed that he died from asphyxia due to chest and neck compression, suggesting a potential homicide. An eyewitness account from a fellow detainee described the use of force by guards during the incident.
ICE has stated that it is actively investigating both deaths at the detention facility. The agency follows protocols to notify Congress and issue public statements regarding all in-custody deaths. The tragic events at the Fort Bliss base highlight the challenges and risks faced by individuals in immigration detention. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek help from the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. by calling or texting 988.