Guatemalan national in ICE custody dies in hospital

HARLINGEN, Texas – Brendy Yohana Bamaca-Zacarias, 24, a Guatemalan national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, passed away September 7 at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. An official cause of death is pending.

Bamaca entered the U.S. near Rio Grande City, Texas, on August 31. U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Bamaca and served her a notice and order of expedited removal, charging her with inadmissibility, as an intended immigrant without an immigrant visa. The Border Patrol transferred Bamaca to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Harlingen at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas on September 3, where she continued her immigration proceedings.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.

Additionally, ICE notified the Guatemalan Consulate in Harlingen of Bamaca’s passing. ERO Harlingen staff notified next of kin.

ICE remains committed to ensuring 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. Individuals in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings 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 on ICE's Newsroom web page.

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 on ICE's Detainee Death Reporting webpage.