Guatemalan Man Dies in Immigration Custody; His Family Demands Justice and Support for Repatriation

• Family of man who died in immigration custody denounces ICE negligence and asks for support.
• Death of Juan Francisco Martínez in ICE custody sparks outrage.
• “ICE murdered him”: family demands justice for Juan Francisco Martínez.

An Arrest That Ended in Tragedy

The family of Juan Francisco Martínez, a 48-year-old Salvadoran immigrant who had been living in Reno, Nevada, is facing a painful ordeal following his sudden death while in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities.

On August 9, Martínez was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and transferred to a detention center. Days later, according to the official version, he died under “strange circumstances.”

What worsened the situation is that while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website indicated he was being held in Atlanta, Georgia, the family was informed on August 15 that his body was at the Medical Examiner’s office.

This contradiction heightened suspicions and accusations of mistreatment in immigration detention centers.

Family of Juan Francisco Martínez Denounces ICE Negligence and Asks for Support

Juan Francisco’s wife, Alberta González, a resident of Rabinal, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala, has stated that her husband was healthy before being detained.

“This is a homicide. Maybe we are undocumented immigrants in the United States, but that does not justify a murder,” the family declared in their public statement.

González requested to view her husband’s body to confirm his identity but was told she first needed to hire a funeral home to transfer him to a morgue.

This bureaucratic barrier delayed the process and fueled further doubts about what had happened. The official cause reported so far is “sudden death,” though ICE has not provided additional details and has kept the investigation open.

The U.S. outlet Sin Filtro highlighted that Martínez had worked tirelessly in the United States solely to support his family in Guatemala. His death leaves not only an emotional void but also a profound economic impact on a household that depended on his income.

GoFundMe: A Cry for Justice and Support

In the absence of resources and facing the urgency of repatriating the body, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Justice for Juan Francisco Martínez, Immigrant Murdered.”

The fundraiser is organized by Melbin El Salvador and seeks to raise $2,400 to cover the costs of transport and give him a dignified burial in his homeland.

The campaign message reads:

“We want justice and, in addition, support to repatriate the body to Guatemala, where his wife lives in a humble village. He was perfectly healthy, and for us, this is murder. We are waiting for the authorities to respond to our call.”

The initiative not only aims to address the financial aspect but also to shed light on the precarious conditions faced by thousands of undocumented immigrants in ICE custody, many of whom have reported abuse and neglect in the past.

A Struggle That Transcends

The case of Juan Francisco Martínez adds to a list of stories that expose the most vulnerable side of migration in the United States.

The family insists that this is not just an individual loss, but an event that underscores the urgent need to review how immigrant detention is managed.

Meanwhile, the GoFundMe fundraiser remains active and serves not only as financial assistance for his family but also as a symbol of solidarity and a demand for justice.

👉 You can access the GoFundMe at this link.

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