ICE Says Nicaraguan Immigrant Died by Suicide at a Texas Detention Facility

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said an immigrant who was found dead last week at a federal immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas, died by suicide, according to a statement released by the agency, as reported by Fox News.

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old native of Nicaragua, was being held at Camp Montana East, a large tent-based detention complex located on the grounds of Fort Bliss.

ICE said Diaz appeared to have taken his own life on Wednesday while in custody at the facility.

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old undocumented migrant from Nicaragua, died in ICE custody Jan. 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso, according to ICE.

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“Contract security staff found Diaz unconscious and unresponsive in his room. They immediately notified contract medical staff on site to conduct life-saving measures,” ICE said in its statement.

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ICE did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding Diaz’s death. Federal authorities said the incident remains under investigation.

Diaz was taken into custody on Jan. 6 during federal immigration enforcement operations conducted in Minnesota, ICE said. Following his arrest, he was transferred to the Texas detention facility, where he remained until his death.

According to ICE, Diaz entered the United States nearly two years ago and was initially taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol. He was later released on parole while awaiting a court date.

During an immigration hearing in August, a judge ordered Diaz to leave the United States after he failed to appear, ICE said.

The agency said Diaz was issued a final order of removal on Jan. 12, just two days before he was found unconscious in his room at the detention facility.

Camp Montana East has been the focus of scrutiny earlier this month following the death of another detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos.

ICE previously said staff members attempted to stop Lunas Campos from killing himself while he was in custody at the same facility.

However, accounts from a fellow detainee raised serious questions about that incident.

According to the detainee, at least five officers were restraining Lunas Campos and had pinned him to the floor, including at least one officer who allegedly had an arm around his neck.

A preliminary investigation conducted by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office found that Lunas Campos died from asphyxia caused by chest and neck compression.

The medical examiner’s office said the death would be classified as a homicide.

ICE has said the death of Lunas Campos remains under investigation.

Federal officials have not indicated whether the two deaths are being reviewed together or separately, and ICE has not released additional information about any potential changes to detention procedures at the facility.

Fox News Digital reported that it has reached out to ICE for further comment regarding Diaz’s death.

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