ICE detainee passes away at Texas hospital

EL PASO, Texas – An El Salvadoran national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away Wednesday evening at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Mauro Antonio Rivera-Romero, 43, was taken by ambulance Oct. 4 to Del Sol Medical Center after he displayed symptoms of extreme hypotension.

On Oct. 5, Rivera-Romero went into cardiac arrest at the intensive care unit of Del Sol Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is being conducted.

Representatives from the Consulate of El Salvador were notified and are working closely with ICE to notify Rivera-Romero's next of kin.

Rivera-Romero was arrested Oct. 1 by U.S. Border Patrol. He was transported Oct. 2 to the El Paso Processing Center pending removal proceedings.

Rivera-Romero is the second detainee to pass away in ICE custody nationwide in fiscal year 2012.