Death in ICE detention investigated as homicide

By: Jeff Abbott
and Aaron Martinez
El Paso Times
USA Today Network

..... The death of a Cuban migrant "who experienced medical distress' while being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in El Paso, Texas, is being investigate as a "likely homicide."
..... U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said in a statement that "We have now learned that another detainee has died, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner is likely to rule it a homicide."
..... The Washington Post first reported the new development in the migrant;s death January 15. [2026] ICE officials made Geralod Lunas Campos' death public in a January 9 [2026] news release.
..... "His cause of death is under investigation," the news release says.
..... Lunas Campos' daughter shared an audio recording with the Post in which an employee of the county's medical examiner's office said that the doctor has listed his preliminary reason for death as the result of "asphyxia due to neck and chest compressions."
..... The final cause of death will be determined once a toxicology report has been completed.
..... The El Paso County Medical Examiner Office Chile of Perorations Irene Santiago said the autopsy report was still pending and not publicly available as of January 16. [2026

Representative Shot down facility

..... Escobar issued a new call to have the East El Paso ICE detention center shut down.
..... "I reiterate what I've said before: this facility should be shot down and the contract terminated," Escobar said. "It has never adhered to basic or appropriate standards to ensure the safety and dignity of the human beings in custody and it is clearly a profit-making enterprise for the corporation."
..... Escobar has repeatedly reached out to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noam and ICE Director Todd Lyons for more information about the contract and the facility's operations.
..... "As a Subcommittee for the House Appropriations Committee, I can unequivocally say that DHS is operating with absolutely no regard for transparency, truthfulness or regard for human life, Escobar said in the statement. "There must be accountability for this and other egregious violations of our values as a nation and the laws DHS is required to follow."

death under investigation

..... The FBI cannot confirm or deny whether an investigation is underway because of Justice Department policy. typically, the FBI investigates homicides at federal facilities and on federal property. Camp East Montana is located on Fort Bliss property.
..... The Washington Post also reported that one migrant, Santos Jesus Flores, who was held at the facility said Lunas Campos had struggled with five guards as they tried to place him in segregation. Lunas Campos reportedly told guards in Spanish that he couldn't breathe.
..... Lunas Campos, 55, was reported dead January 3 [2026] after being held in segregation after a disruption while in line for medication. He had been held at the facility for nearly four months.
..... He refused to return to his assigned dormitory, the ICE news release says.
...... "He was subsequently placed in segregation," the release states. "While in segregation, staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance. Medical staff responded, initiated lifesaving measures, and requested emergency medical services. Lunas was pronounced deceased by EMS."
..... He was the second immigrant held at The Camp East Montana facility to die since it opened in August 2025."

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