The family of a Mexican man who died while in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody is demanding answers, as experts warn of a broader rise in deaths inside immigration detention facilities.
Jose Guadalupe Ramos, 52, died at the Adelanto Immigration Detention Centre in California in late March, about a month after he was taken into custody. His partner, Antonia Tovar, said she last spoke to him over a video call shortly before he was pronounced dead.
According to ICE, Ramos was found unresponsive in his bunk and was given emergency care before being transferred to a nearby medical facility, where he was declared dead. However, his family alleges that officials and the private contractor operating the facility failed to respond quickly enough to his medical distress.
Ramos had been detained following an immigration enforcement operation in California and was being held at the privately run Adelanto centre, northeast of Los Angeles. His medical history, including diabetes and hypertension, had reportedly been documented upon arrival.
The family’s lawyer argues that conditions inside the facility and delays in medical response may have contributed to his death, while officials and the detention operator deny any wrongdoing, insisting that proper medical procedures were followed.
The case comes amid growing concern over deaths in US immigration detention. According to available data cited by researchers, dozens of people have died in ICE custody in 2025, with analysts warning that the figure could surpass previous years. Experts tracking detention mortality rates say the trend reflects increased pressure on a rapidly expanding detention system.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, disputes claims of rising fatalities, stating that death rates remain proportionate to the detained population and that detainees receive adequate medical care and living conditions.
Ramos’s death has intensified scrutiny of the use of large-scale and privately operated detention centres, with legal representatives for his family preparing a potential civil case alleging medical negligence.
As investigations continue, the family is calling for full transparency into the circumstances surrounding his final hours, while broader questions persist about safety standards inside US immigration detention facilities.
