Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, a 42-year-old Honduran national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, died on January 5 at HCA Houston Healthcare in Conroe, Texas. He had been admitted to the hospital on December 23, 2025, for complications related to congenital heart failure and remained hospitalized until his death.
Nunez entered the United States illegally at an unspecified location and date without inspection or authorization by immigration officials. ICE officers arrested him during an operation in Houston on November 17, 2025. He was initially held at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe before being transferred to the Joe Corley Processing Center on November 25.
Due to worsening congestive heart failure, Nunez was taken to HCA Houston Healthcare on December 23. On December 31, he experienced several life-threatening medical emergencies and was moved to the intensive care unit, where he stayed until his passing.
HCA staff notified ICE personnel of Nunez’s death at approximately 4:31 a.m. Central Time on January 5.
According to ICE, official notifications are made to Congress, nongovernmental organizations, and the media following reports of deaths in custody. The agency also posts news releases with details about such incidents on its public website and fulfills congressional requirements under the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 by publicizing all reports regarding in-custody deaths within ninety days through its Detainee Death Reporting page.
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 illegal alien denied emergency care."
