Mexican national in ICE custody dies at NWIPC

SEATTLE — A citizen of Mexico in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement passed away at the Northwest ICE Processing Center Oct. 27. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

Jose Manuel Sanchez-Castro, 36, a citizen of Mexico, entered the U.S. at an unknown date or location without inspection or parole of an immigration official and was first arrested by ERO Seattle Aug. 19, 2009, with a voluntary removal performed Aug. 26, 2009. He was subsequently encountered eight times after reentering the U.S. unlawfully on separate dates ranging from Sept. 2009 to July 2024. During this time frame, Sanchez-Castro was arrested multiple times and convicted of offenses both federal and state, to include illegal reentry by the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona Sept. 8 2009 and Aug. 20, 2012; resisting arrest by the Yakima District Court, April 21, 2011; manufacture and delivery of amphetamine and or methamphetamine by Yakima District Court, Nov. 21, 2016.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. Additionally, ERO Seattle notified the next of kin as well as the Consulate General of Mexico in Seattle.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all 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. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening 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, ERO makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental 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 in the ICE.gov Newsroom.

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 the Detainee Death Reporting page.