Chinese national dies while in ICE custody in Imperial County
Karina Bazarte
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A Chinese national has died after being held in ICE custody in Imperial County.
ICE confirms the man died on September 29 at the El Centro Regional Medical Center after he suffered an apparent seizure while in custody at a detention center in Calexico.
A full report on the man’s death is expected to be made public within 90 days.
ICE says all individuals in its custody receives comprehensive medical care and remain in secure and humane conditions throughout their detention.
The activists say they were emotional when they found out a detainee died in their city but they also say it’s not surprising.
“I felt a lot of anger I felt pain… I felt hurt for his family… for him… most of all anger because of the authorities that allowed this to happen,” said Daniella Flores, Co-founder of Imperial Valley equality and justice.
US immigration and custom enforcement says facility staff reported the man was experiencing seizures and became unresponsive on September 29th.
I.C.E says medical personal performed CPR on the detainee and he was taken to El Centro Regional center, where he died.
“An activist with Imperial Liberation Collab says she has seen the conditions inside the facility firsthand .
“We were able to do a tour back in the beginning of the year February March I don’t remember… we were able to go into the medical facility and all the units… well not all the units but at least some… we were able to see that yeah it looks like a nice areas but I think that there is a lack of staff,” said Marina Arteaga, with Imperial Liberation Collab.
The co-founder of IV Equity and Justice says these type of deaths are no surprise to the community as she has spoken with detainees who claim their concerns are being ignored.
“We have heard that pain goes untreated… essentially they are not allowed to see additional specialist when cases are more severe and that was personally said to me by multiple people not just one,” said Flores.
According to the ice.Gov website, about 16 detainees have died in the custody of ICE this year.
We reached out to US immigration and custom enforcement for an interview and we are waiting to hear back.