Key Takeaways
- Two Orange County residents, Ismael Ayala-Uribe and Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, have died while in federal immigration custody, prompting concerns about the treatment of detained immigrants and the quality of medical care in immigration detention centers.
- The number of in-custody deaths has reached an annual record, with 25 people dying so far this year while being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Lawmakers are demanding answers from U.S. Homeland Security officials, citing systemic patterns of delayed treatment, neglect, and failure to properly notify families.
- The deaths have raised broader concerns about whether immigration detention centers are equipped to care for the large number of people being detained.
Introduction to the Issue
The deaths of two Orange County residents, Ismael Ayala-Uribe and Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, while in federal immigration custody have sparked outrage and concerns about the treatment of detained immigrants. U.S. Reps. Dave Min and Judy Chu have written a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding answers and pointing to the deaths of 25 people so far this year while being held by ICE. The number of in-custody deaths has reached an annual record since the agency began keeping track in 2018. The lawmakers are seeking immediate accountability and stressing the need to treat immigrants with humanity.
The Case of Ismael Ayala-Uribe
Ismael Ayala-Uribe, a 39-year-old Mexican immigrant, died on September 22, about a month after being apprehended while working at the Fountain Valley Auto Wash, where he had worked for 15 years. Ayala-Uribe had lived in Westminster since he was 4 years old and had previously been protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. However, his application for continued protection was not renewed in 2016. Ayala-Uribe’s relatives and members of Congress have alleged that he was denied proper medical care after being taken into ICE custody in August. Internal emails obtained by The Times show that Adelanto detention staff members were aware of his medical crisis, but Ayala-Uribe was initially taken back to his dorm room, where he waited for another three days before being moved to Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville.
The Case of Gabriel Garcia-Aviles
Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, a 56-year-old Mexican immigrant, died on October 23, about a week after being detained. ICE said Garcia-Aviles was arrested on October 14 in Santa Ana by the U.S. Border Patrol for an outstanding warrant and was eventually sent to the Adelanto center. Garcia-Aviles was only at the Adelanto facility for a few hours before he was taken to the Victorville hospital for suspected alcohol withdrawal symptoms. His condition rapidly worsened, and his family did not learn of his dire medical condition until he was on his deathbed. The family’s experience has raised concerns about the lack of transparency and communication between ICE and the families of detained immigrants.
Systemic Patterns of Neglect and Delayed Treatment
The deaths of Ayala-Uribe and Garcia-Aviles have highlighted systemic patterns of delayed treatment, neglect, and failure to properly notify families. The lawmakers’ letter to Noem and Todd M. Lyons, the acting director of ICE, stresses the need for immediate accountability and demands answers about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The letter was signed by 43 other lawmakers, including Reps. Robert Garcia, J. Luis Correa, John Garamendi, and Maxine Waters. The lawmakers are seeking to ensure that immigrants are treated with humanity and that their rights are respected.
Broader Concerns about Immigration Detention Centers
The deaths of Ayala-Uribe and Garcia-Aviles have raised broader concerns about whether immigration detention centers are equipped to care for the large number of people being detained. The situation has sparked concerns about the treatment of detained immigrants and the quality of medical care in immigration detention centers. The lawmakers are demanding answers and seeking to ensure that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect. The issue has also raised questions about the priorities of the U.S. government, particularly in light of President Trump’s emphasis on mass deportations as part of his second-term agenda.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The deaths of Ismael Ayala-Uribe and Gabriel Garcia-Aviles are a tragic reminder of the need for reform and accountability in the immigration detention system. The lawmakers’ letter to Noem and Lyons is a call to action, demanding immediate accountability and stressing the need to treat immigrants with humanity. The situation highlights the need for greater transparency and communication between ICE and the families of detained immigrants. Ultimately, the goal should be to ensure that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect, and that their rights are respected. The U.S. government must prioritize the humane treatment of immigrants and ensure that immigration detention centers are equipped to provide adequate medical care and other necessary services.