An individual from Mexico passed away while in the custody of US immigration authorities in Los Angeles on March 25, as confirmed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This incident marks the 14th death in ICE custody in the year 2026.
The deceased, identified as Jose Guadalupe Ramos, was discovered unconscious and nonresponsive in his sleeping area at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center by security personnel, according to ICE’s official statement. Upon finding him, the security staff immediately contacted medical professionals onsite, who subsequently transferred him to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Following his inauguration in 2025, US President Donald Trump initiated a large-scale deportation campaign, vowing to apprehend and expel millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the country. Despite facing criticism from opponents who argue that the approach is excessively punitive and potentially fatal, the number of immigrants detained by ICE has surged to a record high, with approximately 68,000 individuals in custody as of early February.
In 2025, at least 31 individuals lost their lives while in ICE detention, marking a twenty-year peak, and the current rate of fatalities poses a threat of surpassing that unfortunate milestone.