Immigration Detention & Constitutional Rights
This page honors those who have died in immigration detention and educates Americans about constitutional protections including habeas corpus and due process that apply to all persons in the United States under the Constitution.
Understanding your constitutional rights is essential for everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Why Habeas Corpus Matters
Habeas corpus is a fundamental constitutional right that protects against unlawful detention. It is protected by Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution and is a cornerstone of American justice.
Habeas Corpus
The "Great Writ" ensures that no one can be held without being brought before a court. It's protected by Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution and cannot be suspended except in cases of rebellion or invasion.
Due Process
The 5th and 14th Amendments guarantee due process to all persons in the United States—not just citizens. This includes the right to a fair hearing before being detained or deported.
Family Unity
Family separation during detention proceedings raises important questions about humanitarian considerations and the balance between enforcement and family welfare under American law.
About This Memorial
This page contains only verified cases of deaths in ICE custody, based on public reports from credible sources including ICE.gov, ACLU, major news outlets, and advocacy organizations.
According to Freedom for Immigrants, at least 185 migrants have died in U.S. custody since 2003 when ICE began publicly reporting such information. The cases listed here represent those we have been able to verify with specific documentation.
Note: We are working to keep this memorial updated with verified information. As a solo organization, this is challenging work, but we are committed to honoring these lives and ensuring their stories are told accurately.
No fabricated or estimated entries are included. Each person listed has a documented source.
In Memory of Those Lost in Detention
These individuals died while in ICE custody. Each name represents a life lost, a family torn apart, and a reminder of the human cost of our immigration system.
16 verified documented deaths in ICE custody. Many more remain undocumented.
Showing 16 of 16 documented deaths
Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas
32 years old • Mexico
Central Arizona Correctional Complex, AZ
Died from complications related to diabetes and COVID-19. Had elevated blood sugar and foot wounds upon intake.
Ismael Ayala-Uribe
39 years old • Mexico
Adelanto ICE Processing Center, CA
First death confirmed at Adelanto Detention facility. Died approximately five weeks after being detained.
Choung Won Ahn
74 years old • South Korea
Otay Mesa Detention Center, CA
First confirmed COVID-19 death in ICE custody.
Carlos Ernesto Escobar-Mejia
57 years old • El Salvador
Otay Mesa Detention Center, CA
Died from COVID-19 complications after being held at Otay Mesa Detention Center.
Johana Medina Leon
25 years old • El Salvador
Otero County Processing Center, NM
Transgender woman who died after falling ill and testing positive for HIV. Advocates said she pleaded for medical help for weeks.
Simratpal Singh
21 years old • India
La Paz County Jail, AZ
Died by suicide while in ICE custody. Medical examiner determined death was by hanging.
Roylan Hernandez-Diaz
43 years old • Cuba
Richwood Correctional Center, LA
Cuban asylum seeker who died by apparent suicide after 148 days in detention. Had been on hunger strike and placed in solitary confinement.
Nebane Abienwi
37 years old • Cameroon
Otay Mesa Detention Center, CA
Asylum seeker who died from brain death secondary to basal ganglia hemorrhage following a hypertensive event and stroke.
Roxsana Hernández Rodriguez
33 years old • Honduras
Cibola County Correctional Center, NM
Transgender asylum seeker whose independent autopsy revealed evidence of physical abuse, deep bruising, and severe dehydration. She died from AIDS complications after being denied treatment.
Jakelin Caal Maquin
7 years old • Guatemala
Border Patrol Custody, NM
Seven-year-old girl who died from dehydration, shock, and liver failure while in Border Patrol custody.
Felipe Alonzo-Gomez
8 years old • Guatemala
Border Patrol Custody, NM
Eight-year-old boy who died on Christmas Eve from flu complications and septic shock.
Huy Chi Tran
47 years old • Vietnam
Eloy Detention Center, AZ
Died from sudden cardiac arrest after eight days in detention. Congressional investigation found he was placed in solitary confinement and a guard falsified logs.
Guerman Volkov
56 years old • Russia
Baker County Detention Center, FL
Died from cardiac arrest at Memorial Hospital Jacksonville. Had decided to discontinue all medical treatment.
Mergensana Amar
40 years old • Russia
Northwest Detention Center, WA
Died after attempting to hang himself while jailed. Had been taken off suicide watch.
Efrain Romero de la Rosa
40 years old • Mexico
Stewart Detention Center, GA
Died by suicide while detained at the CoreCivic-operated Stewart Detention Facility. His death highlighted systemic issues including use of solitary confinement as punishment.
Osmar Epifanio González-Gadba
32 years old • Nicaragua
Adelanto Detention Facility, CA
Died after hanging himself with a bedsheet in his cell. He had been detained for only three months and never regained consciousness after being found.
This list represents verified, documented deaths in ICE detention with credible sources. The actual number of deaths is significantly higher.
Data Sources
Information compiled from: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Freedom for Immigrants, NBC News, Washington Post, CBS News, Texas Tribune, Arizona Central, San Diego Union-Tribune, and other credible news organizations.
ICE Detention Facilities Across America
There are over 200 detention facilities across the United States where immigrants are held. Below is a list of major ICE detention centers.
Adelanto ICE Processing Center
Adelanto, CA
Adams County Correctional Center
Natchez, MS
Alamance County Detention Center
Graham, NC
Allen Parish Public Safety Complex
Oberlin, LA
Baker County Detention Center
MacClenny, FL
Batavia Service Processing Center
Batavia, NY
Bergen County Jail
Hackensack, NJ
Bluebonnet Detention Facility
Anson, TX
Boone County Jail
Burlington, KY
Broward Transitional Center
Pompano Beach, FL
Buffalo Federal Detention Facility
Batavia, NY
Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center
Jena, LA
Chase County Detention Center
Cottonwood Falls, KS
Cibola County Correctional Center
Milan, NM
Clay County Jail
Brazil, IN
Clinton County Jail
McElhattan, PA
Denver Contract Detention Facility
Aurora, CO
Desert View Annex
Adelanto, CA
Dodge County Detention Facility
Juneau, WI
Eden Detention Center
Eden, TX
Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility
Elizabeth, NJ
El Paso Processing Center
El Paso, TX
Eloy Detention Center
Eloy, AZ
El Valle Detention Facility
El Valle, TX
Etowah County Detention Center
Gadsden, AL
Farmville Detention Center
Farmville, VA
Florence Correctional Center
Florence, AZ
Florence Service Processing Center
Florence, AZ
Folkston ICE Processing Center
Folkston, GA
Freeborn County Jail
Albert Lea, MN
Geauga County Jail
Chardon, OH
Glades County Detention Center
Moore Haven, FL
Golden State Annex
McFarland, CA
Henderson Detention Center
Henderson, NV
Houston Contract Detention Facility
Houston, TX
IAH Polk Adult Detention Facility
Livingston, TX
Imperial Regional Detention Facility
Calexico, CA
Irwin County Detention Center
Ocilla, GA
Jackson Parish Correctional Center
Jonesboro, LA
Joe Corley Detention Facility
Conroe, TX
Johnson County Law Enforcement Center
Franklin, IN
Kandiyohi County Jail
Willmar, MN
Karnes County Family Residential Center
Karnes City, TX
Kay County Detention Center
Tonkawa, OK
Krome North Service Processing Center
Miami, FL
La Palma Correctional Center
Eloy, AZ
LaSalle Detention Facility
Jena, LA
Laredo Processing Center
Laredo, TX
Limestone County Detention Center
Athens, AL
Mesa Verde ICE Processing Facility
Bakersfield, CA
Monroe County Jail
Monroe, MI
Moshannon Valley Processing Center
Philipsburg, PA
Nevada Southern Detention Center
Pahrump, NV
Orange County Correctional Facility
Goshen, NY
Otero County Processing Center
Chaparral, NM
Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego, CA
Pike County Correctional Facility
Lords Valley, PA
Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center
Pine Prairie, LA
Plymouth County Correctional Facility
Plymouth, MA
Port Isabel Detention Center
Los Fresnos, TX
Prairieland Detention Center
Alvarado, TX
Richwood Correctional Center
Richwood, LA
River Correctional Center
Ferriday, LA
San Luis Regional Detention Center
San Luis, AZ
Seneca County Jail
Tiffin, OH
South Louisiana ICE Processing Center
Basile, LA
South Texas Detention Complex
Pearsall, TX
South Texas Family Residential Center
Dilley, TX
St. Clair County Jail
Port Huron, MI
Stewart Detention Center
Lumpkin, GA
Strafford County House of Corrections
Dover, NH
Torrance County Detention Facility
Estancia, NM
Winn Correctional Center
Winnfield, LA
Wyatt Detention Facility
Central Falls, RI
Yuba County Jail
Marysville, CA
This list includes major ICE detention facilities. Many county jails and local facilities also hold ICE detainees.
Know Your Rights
Everyone in the United States has constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status. Learn how to protect yourself and your family.