Related videos:
A Cuban citizen passed away on the night of January 3 while in custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the East Montana Facility in Texas, as confirmed by the federal agency in an official statement.
The deceased was identified as Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55 years old, who died at 10:16 p.m. after experiencing medical complications. The cause of his death is still under investigation.
According to ICE's account, on that same day, Lunas Campos exhibited behavior deemed "disruptive" while waiting to receive his medication and refused to return to his assigned dormitory, which resulted in him being placed in isolation. Subsequently, the center staff observed him in a state of distress and requested medical assistance.
The healthcare staff at the center responded and tried to implement measures to save his life, in addition to requesting emergency medical services. However, the Cuban was declared dead by the emergency services that arrived at the scene.
ICE emphasized in its statement that Lunas Campos was considered an "aggravated felon" and a "convicted child sex offender," with a lengthy criminal record in the United States.
Among his convictions are crimes such as sexual contact with an 11-year-old minor, illegal possession and use of firearms, sale of controlled substances, driving under the influence of alcohol, and multiple thefts.
The Cuban had entered the United States in 1996 and had a final deportation order issued by an immigration judge since March 2005. However, the expulsion could not be executed for years due to the inability to obtain travel documents. He was transferred to East Montana Camp in September 2025.
The death occurs months after federal agents arrested him in Rochester, New York during an immigration operation, a case that at the time was presented by authorities as part of efforts to remove individuals with violent backgrounds from the streets.
In its official statement, ICE reiterated its commitment to ensuring "safe, secure, and humane" conditions for all individuals in its custody, ensuring they receive medical care from the moment they are admitted and throughout their detention.
It also recalled that, by mandate of Congress, all deaths that occur under immigration custody must be reported and published within a period of 90 days.
Filed under: