In brief
Ismael Ayala-Uribe, a 39-year-old Mexican man, died in a hospital after being transferred from the Adelanto ICE Processing Center for surgery. Hospital staff found him unresponsive and initiated lifesaving measures, but he was declared dead early Monday morning. The cause of death is under investigation, with Mexican authorities seeking clarity. Ayala-Uribe was suffering from hypertension and was recovering from an abscess surgery at the time of his death.
ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) — Officials are investigating the death this week of a 39-year-old Mexican man who was in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Southern California. Ismael Ayala-Uribe was transferred Sunday from the Adelanto ICE Processing Center to a regional hospital for surgery on an abscess on his buttock, according to an ICE statement. Hospital staff found him unresponsive and “initiated lifesaving measures,” but he was declared dead around 2:30 a.m. Monday. The cause of death is under investigation. Ayala-Uribe suffered from hypertension and tachycardia, an abnormally fast heart rate. His family reported he had high blood pressure but was otherwise healthy. They indicated that he began to exhibit symptoms of illness shortly after arriving at the Adelanto facility on August 22. In addition, records indicate that more than a dozen deaths have occurred in immigration custody since January, coinciding with the implementation of stricter immigration policies. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department has extended condolences to the family and is coordinating with the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino to ensure the investigation is thorough. Mexican officials remain in contact with the family to provide legal assistance. ICE records reveal Ayala-Uribe entered the United States at an unknown date and location and received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection in 2012, although his application for renewal was denied in 2016 due to prior DUI convictions.
