Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old man from Nicaragua, died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. According to ICE, contract security staff found Diaz unconscious and unresponsive in his room. Medical personnel were immediately notified and attempted life-saving measures. El Paso Emergency Medical Services were called at 3:35 p.m., arrived ten minutes later, and continued resuscitation efforts before pronouncing Diaz dead at 4:09 p.m.
The cause of death is presumed to be suicide, but an official investigation is ongoing.
Diaz had entered ICE custody on January 6 after officers encountered him in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they determined he was unlawfully present in the United States and arrested him for an immigration violation. ICE records indicate that Diaz originally crossed into the United States illegally on March 26, 2024, at the U.S.–Mexico border. After being processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents, he was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and released on parole pending his court date.
An immigration judge issued a removal order against Diaz in absentia on August 26, 2025. On January 12 of this year, ICE detained him as part of enforcing this final order of removal.
ICE stated that it notifies Congress, nongovernmental organizations, and the media when deaths occur in its custody and publishes information about these incidents on its public website. The agency also noted that Congressional requirements under the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require all reports regarding in-custody deaths to be made public within 90 days.
ICE said it is committed to providing safe conditions for people held in its facilities. All individuals are given medical screenings within twelve hours of arrival at each detention center and receive a full health assessment within fourteen days or upon arrival at a facility. The agency added that detainees have access to medical appointments and emergency care at all times.
