ICE detainee passes away at South Texas hospital

SAN ANTONIO — A Brazilian national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away Nov. 25 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, with a preliminary cause of death identified as cardiac arrest.

Wenceslau Esmerio Campos, 49, had been detained at the South Texas Detention Complex, in Pearsall, Texas. On Nov.23 at 6:43 p.m. the ICE Health Service Corps notified ICE officials that Campos would be taken to the Frio Regional Hospital in Pearsall, Texas, for medical evaluation due to chest pains. A short time later, Frio Regional hospital officials arranged for him to be taken to Methodist Hospital due to his life-threatening condition. Despite continuing efforts to stabilize him, Campos’ condition worsened.  On Nov. 25, at 8:55 a.m., Campos was pronounced dead by Methodist Hospital officials.

Campos entered the United States July 15, 2003, near Hidalgo, Texas, where he was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). He was transferred to ICE custody and taken to the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas. On Aug. 27, 2003, he was released on bond. On March 18, 2004, an immigration judge ordered Campos removed in absentia.

From 2005 to 2008, Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office arrested Campos on three separate occasions for driving while intoxicated; he was convicted three times. His latest DWI arrest was June 23, 2008, at which time he provided a fake name. He was sentenced to 60 days incarnation. On Aug. 13, 2008, Campos was transported to ICE custody and was ultimately removed to Brazil Oct. 29, 2008.

Eight years later, on Oct. 23, 2016, Campos illegally re-entered the United Sates near Hidalgo, Texas, where he was arrested by CBP Border Patrol agents. He was turned over to ICE and taken to the South Texas Detention Complex where he remained until he became ill and passed away.

Campos’ next of kin was notified of his passing through the assistance of the Brazilian consulate.

Campos is the second individual to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2017.