A Vietnamese national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away on April 16 at a long-term acute care hospital in El Paso, Texas, due to natural causes.
The individual, Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, aged 55, originally entered the United States on July 14, 1983, as a legal U.S. resident under the Refugee Act of 1980. He was convicted of second-degree murder in California on September 10, 1991, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. His aggravated felony conviction breached the conditions of his residency.
ICE officers located Nguyen on September 15, 2004, at San Quentin State Prison, California, where he was serving his sentence for murder. An immigration detainer was lodged at that time. After his parole release on November 12, 2013, Nguyen was transferred to ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in San Francisco. ERO subsequently arrested him, issued a Notice to Appear before the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review, and detained him at Yuba County Jail, Marysville.
On December 11, 2013, an immigration judge ordered Nguyen's removal to Vietnam, a process hindered by Vietnam's refusal to issue travel documents. Consequently, on January 13, 2014, ERO placed Nguyen under an Order of Supervision and released him from custody.
After several transfers within the U.S., Nguyen was arrested in Albuquerque on February 24, based on a final order of removal. He was detained at the El Paso Processing Center but was frequently hospitalized due to health issues, including altered mental status and assistance with daily activities. Despite the involvement of his attorney and efforts to contact family members for custody and care, no resolution was reached.
Nguyen was repeatedly admitted to and discharged from medical facilities until his final hospitalization preceding his death on April 16.
ICE protocols ensure relevant parties, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, are notified following an in-custody death. Notifications are also made to next of kin, Congress, and nongovernmental organizations. ICE commits to publishing detailed reports within 90 days of such incidents, available through the Detainee Death Reporting page.
ICE asserts dedication to providing safe, secure, and humane environments for all in its custody. Comprehensive medical care and assessments are accessible for detainees from arrival throughout their detention, including screenings, full health assessments, and 24-hour emergency care. ICE ensures that emergency care is never denied during detention.
