ICE detainee passes away at Arizona hospital

PHOENIX – A Guatemalan national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away Sunday morning at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center (BCGMC) in Casa Grande after hospital staff were unable to revive her.

Raquel Calderon de Hildago, 36, was pronounced dead by hospital personnel at 11:17 a.m. following a series of seizures. Medical staff at the Eloy Detention Center called paramedics after Calderon suffered a seizure. She continued to experience seizures in the ambulance en route to BCGMC. The official cause of death will be determined by the Arizona medical examiner.

Calderon was transferred to ICE custody Nov. 23 six days after her arrest near Robles Junction by the U.S. Border Patrol. At the time of her death, Calderon was awaiting removal to Guatemala. Database checks indicate she had no criminal history in the U.S.

Personnel with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) notified Guatemalan consular officials who informed Calderon’s next of kin. Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been advised of the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

Calderon is the third individual to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2017.