Mexican Dies in California Immigration Center, Medical Negligence Alleged

• Mexican dies in immigration center
• Medical negligence in detention denounced
• Cases increase in 2025

According to the EFE agency, the death of a Mexican immigrant under the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California has reignited accusations of medical negligence in U.S. detention centers.

Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, died on Monday, September 22, at the Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, northeast of Los Angeles.

The immigrant had been detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and was transferred a day earlier to a hospital for medical evaluation.

The circumstances of his death have generated outrage among activists and organizations demanding accountability from the U.S. government.

Delayed Medical Transfer and Critical Diagnosis

Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, a citizen of Mexico, was at hospital for evaluation of an abscess on his buttock when he presented abnormal tachycardia (high heart rate) and was ultimately declared deceased at 2:32 a.m. yesterday, Sept. 22, in California.

Ismael Ayala-Uribe was an… pic.twitter.com/ok8nI6Kh4X

— Eva Knott (@EvaKnott) September 23, 2025

Ayala was taken on September 21 to a medical facility for treatment of an abscess on his buttock.

The procedure included a scheduled surgery, but in the early hours of the following day he was found unconscious.

Doctors confirmed his death despite resuscitation efforts.

ICE reported that he also suffered from hypertension and abnormal tachycardia, factors now under investigation.

Mexican Dies in ICE Custody Amid Renewed Criticism

The Adelanto ICE Processing Center had already been under federal court scrutiny.

During the pandemic, a judge ordered the release of detainees due to unsanitary conditions and health risks.

Complaints included overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and absence of timely medical care.

Ayala’s case revives those criticisms and once again points to structural failures in the immigration system.

A Pattern of Deaths in ICE Custody

🔴Honduran Santos Banegas was detained by ICE outside a supermarket and died in his cell a day later. https://t.co/ZUzDuiP9Pp pic.twitter.com/eBZyzqPHTf

— Diario La Prensa (@DiarioLaPrensa) September 23, 2025

Ayala’s death follows that of 42-year-old Honduran national Santos Reyes Banegas.

Reyes died on September 18 at the Nassau County Correctional Center in New York.

According to ICE, he died of suspected liver failure just 18 hours after being admitted.

His initial medical review, conducted the day before, did not detect serious risks.

Alarming Statistics and Legal Demands

With these two recent deaths, ICE has recorded 16 migrant fatalities so far in fiscal year 2025.

This number already surpasses the 12 deaths registered in all of fiscal year 2024.

The agency faces lawsuits over medical negligence and inhumane conditions in its detention centers.

Migrant advocates demand transparency in investigations and stronger respect for human rights.