Three Migrants Die in ICE Custody in October 2026

Federal immigration detention facilities recorded three deaths in October, matching the monthly total from earlier in the year.

The most recent death was confirmed on October 24 at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego. Roberto Jiménez Gutiérrez, a 43-year-old Guatemalan citizen, was found deceased in his cell and did not wake up.

One day before that, on October 23, authorities discovered Luis Sandoval at the D. Ray Processing Center in Folkston, Georgia. The 48-year-old Salvadoran national had a ligature around his neck. This was the second death recorded in the facility during the month.

The first death of the month occurred on October 17 in Laredo, Texas. Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias, a 56-year-old Mexican national, was found unconscious at the Rio Grande Processing Center. Medical staff attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to save his life.

These three fatalities bring the 2026 total to 61 deaths in ICE custody. This year’s figures reflect an increase in mortality following the stricter immigration policies implemented during Donald Trump’s second presidential term. The month of October equals the death count recorded in June, which also saw three individuals die in federal facilities.

The monthly distribution of deaths in 2026 has fluctuated. January recorded the highest number with six deaths, followed by March with five and July with four. February, April, May, and August each documented two deaths, while September reported only one. Official statistics from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirm these figures in its public reports and institutional portal.