In brief
Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, died after being transferred from the Adelanto ICE Processing Center to a nearby hospital for surgery related to an abscess. His death has raised concerns about the health conditions of detainees and the adequacy of medical care provided in immigration detention facilities. The Mexican government is involved to ensure a thorough investigation into his death.
ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) — An investigation is underway following the tragic death of Ismael Ayala-Uribe, a 39-year-old man who was in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Southern California. Ayala-Uribe was transferred from the Adelanto ICE Processing Center to a regional hospital for surgery on an abscess on his buttock. Unfortunately, hospital staff found him unresponsive, and despite attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead around 2:30 a.m. on Monday.
The cause of death remains unknown and is currently under investigation. ICE officials reported that Ayala-Uribe also had a history of hypertension and tachycardia. His family, however, asserted that while he suffered from high blood pressure, he was otherwise healthy prior to his detention. His brother shared with the Los Angeles Times that Ayala-Uribe experienced illness shortly after arriving at the Adelanto facility on August 22.
This incident sheds light on the alarming number of deaths occurring in immigration detention centers. More than a dozen individuals have reportedly died in such facilities since the start of 2023, coinciding with the enforcement of more stringent immigration policies. The Mexican Government has expressed its condolences to Ayala-Uribe's family and pledged to follow up with U.S. authorities to ensure a comprehensive investigation into his death.
Ayala-Uribe arrived in the U.S. at an undisclosed date and location and had received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection in 2012, although he had faced challenges in renewing his status due to previous DUI convictions.
