Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban national with multiple felony convictions, died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on January 3 at Camp East Montana in Texas. According to ICE, Lunas experienced medical distress while being held in segregation and was pronounced dead by emergency medical services at 10:16 p.m. The cause of death is currently under investigation.
On the day of his death, ICE reports that Lunas became disruptive during a medication line and refused to return to his assigned dormitory. He was placed in segregation as a result. Staff later observed him in distress and called for on-site medical personnel who initiated lifesaving measures before requesting emergency assistance.
Lunas had been arrested by immigration authorities during an enforcement operation in Rochester, New York, on July 14, 2025. He entered the United States in 1996 and accumulated several criminal convictions over the years, including criminal possession of a weapon (1998), petit larceny (1999, 2005, 2006), unlawful possession of a weapon during a robbery (2002), sexual contact with a child under age 11 (2003), reckless driving (2006), possession and sale of controlled substances (2007, 2009), and driving while intoxicated (2007).
An immigration judge ordered his removal from the country on March 1, 2005; however, he remained in the U.S. because travel documents could not be obtained by the government. ICE transferred him to Camp East Montana on September 6, 2025.
ICE stated that official notifications regarding deaths in custody are provided to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media. "ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon official reports of in-custody alien deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE's public website." Reports are required by law to be published within ninety days according to congressional requirements outlined in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018.
The agency described its procedures for detainee care: "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."
