Guatemala national in ICE custody dies

MIAMI – A Guatemalan national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away at the Larkin Community Hospital (LCH) in South Miami, Florida Dec. 4, 2023. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

On Dec. 2, ICE Health Services Corps informed ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Miami an American Medical Response ambulance service ambulance transported Carlos Juan Francisco, 42, to LCH from Krome North Processing Center (Krome) due to dehydration and vomiting. Following medical assistance in the intensive care unit, Francisco was pronounced deceased.

On Nov. 22, 2023, the Lee County Jail released Francisco to the custody of ERO Miami and was detained at Krome with a final order of removal from an immigration judge with the Executive Office of Immigration Review.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. Additionally, ICE notified the consulate of Guatemala of Francisco’s passing. Next of kin have been notified.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained noncitizen denied emergent care.

Upon an official report of a detained noncitizen death, ICE ERO makes official notifications to Congress, non-governmental organization stakeholders, and the media and posts a news release with relevant details on the public website within two business days, per agency policy. This information may be accessed here: https://www.ice.gov/newsroom. Additionally, Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill (2018) require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed here: