Nenko Stanev Gantchev, a 56-year-old Bulgarian national, died on December 15 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, Michigan. The death is believed to be from natural causes, but an official cause has not yet been determined.
According to ICE, Gantchev was found unresponsive during routine checks by facility staff. Medical personnel initiated CPR and called emergency medical services. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:54 p.m.
Gantchev entered the United States as a J1 exchange visitor in June 1995. He had multiple arrests in Illinois between 1995 and 2008 for offenses including theft, assault and battery, and driving under the influence. In May 2005, he was granted lawful permanent residence status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, this status was later revoked in May 2009.
An immigration judge ordered his removal to Bulgaria in January 2023. Gantchev was detained by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago office in September 2025 following a warrant of arrest. At the time of his death, he had an ongoing bond appeal before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Following standard procedure after an in-custody death, ERO notified several agencies including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Office of Inspector General, ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center, and made consular notifications to Bulgaria’s Consulate General. The Consul General then informed Gantchev’s next of kin.
ICE stated: "ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care."
As required by congressional mandates described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018, ICE will publicize reports regarding deaths occurring while individuals are held in its custody within ninety days through its Newsroom as well as its Detainee Death Reporting page.
