ICE detainee passes away in south Texas hospital

LAREDO, Texas — A Salvadoran national, who had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) since June 27, passed away Sunday at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo.

Welmer Alberto Garcia-Huezo, 24, was declared deceased Aug. 3.

Garcia-Huezo was apprehended June 25 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol near Harlingen, Texas. Two days later, he was transferred to ICE custody and taken to Rio Grande Detention Center in Laredo.

On July 6, Garcia-Huezo became ill and was immediately transferred from ICE custody to the Laredo Medical Center (LMC). LMC hospital staff initially diagnosed him with cardiac arrest. A medical examiner will review the case regarding the cause of death.

Consistent with ICE protocol, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been informed of Garcia-Huezo's death, along with consular officials from El Salvador, who notified his next of kin.