Tragic Death of Nicaraguan Immigrant Under ICE Custody Raises Concerns

Mon Jan 19 2026 21:50:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Victor Manuel Diaz, a Nicaraguan immigrant, was found dead in an El Paso immigration detention facility, sparking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan immigrant, was found dead last week at the ICE facility located in Fort Bill, Texas. His death appears to be a suicide, raising alarms as it follows the earlier death of fellow detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos under contentious circumstances. Diaz was recently ordered removed from the U.S. after a complicated immigration history. The investigation into his death is ongoing, with ICE facing scrutiny about detainee treatment.

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A Nicaraguan immigrant, Victor Manuel Diaz, was tragically found dead at an immigration detention facility in El Paso, Texas last week, according to federal authorities.

The 36-year-old appeared to have taken his own life while being held at the expansive tent complex at Fort Bill base, and an ongoing federal investigation is currently probing the circumstances surrounding his death.

Diaz's death is particularly alarming as it mirrors the earlier demise of another detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, who passed away under distressing conditions while staff attempted to prevent him from harming himself. Reports from fellow detainees indicate that Lunas Campos, who was also handcuffed at the time, was forcibly restrained by multiple officers, raising grave concerns about the treatment of individuals in ICE custody.

According to ICE statements, Diaz was apprehended on January 6 during a federal crackdown in Minnesota. He had previously entered the U.S. in March 2024 and was released on parole pending court proceedings, although a judge ordered his removal in August—a hearing he did not attend.

Just two days prior to being discovered unconscious, Diaz was issued a final deportation order, underscoring the urgent distress faced by many detainees under their complex immigration situations.

ICE has not disclosed additional details regarding Diaz's death, but the agency is mandated to inform Congress of all in-custody fatalities.

The deaths of both detainees highlight critical questions about the procedures and safety measures in place at ICE facilities, as scrutiny continues to mount regarding the treatment and mental health support provided to detainees.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, please reach out to the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.