A 34-year-old Mexican national, Heber Sanchaz Domínguez, died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center in Lovejoy, Georgia. The incident occurred on January 14, 2025, with Sanchaz being pronounced dead at 3:09 a.m. Eastern time after medical staff found him unresponsive.
According to ICE, Sanchaz had been held for six days and was awaiting a hearing before the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. Medical personnel at the detention center discovered him hanging by his neck and immediately attempted lifesaving measures before transferring him to Piedmont Henry Medical Center via emergency services. Hospital staff pronounced him deceased shortly after arrival.
Sanchaz entered ICE custody following an arrest by Richmond County Jail on January 7 for driving without a license. ICE lodged an immigration detainer with local authorities and filed a Notice to Appear with the immigration court two days later.
Records show that Sanchaz originally entered the United States near Nogales, Arizona, on December 22, 2023, without authorization from an immigration officer. He was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents that day and released pending further proceedings.
Upon his most recent arrest in January 2025, he was transferred to the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center pending removal proceedings. Medical intake screenings conducted upon arrival reportedly showed no signs of distress.
ICE stated that "Consistent with ICE policy, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility were notified through the Joint Intake Center." Additionally, "ICE also notified the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta, which in turn informed Mr. Sanchaz’s next of kin."
The agency noted its process for official notifications: "ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon reports of in-custody deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE’s public website." They added that Congressional requirements mandate publication of such reports within 90 days.
Regarding detainee care standards within its facilities, ICE said: "ICE is committed to ensuring that all individuals in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout their stay. All individuals in ICE custody receive medical, dental, and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arrival at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained individual denied emergency care."
An investigation into Sanchaz's cause of death is ongoing.
