Family of Mexican National Who Died in ICE Custody Demands Justice: 'This Is Not a Way to Lose a Loved One'

Last week, another Mexican national being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement died in custody. Now, his wife and two children are demanding justice and answers about the cause of his death.

In a statement on March 30, ICE said Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano was found unconscious and unresponsive inside his cell by security staff at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. He was then taken to Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, California, where doctors pronounced him dead.

The agency added that Ramos-Solano was arrested by immigration agents in Torrance five weeks ago on Feb. 23. He was previously arrested by Redondo Beach police and convicted in 2025 on drug and theft charges.

While in custody, ICE said Ramos-Solano received ongoing medical care for several conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, identified during intake at the facility, but so far immigration authorities have not released a cause of death.

Ramos-Solano's family is demanding justice. His widow and children spoke to the media this week and said the man did not deserve to die that way, adding that he was a hardworking and responsible person.

"He did not only leave me in pain, he left it with his children, his mother and his siblings," said his widow Antonia Tovar during a press conference held by Mexico's consular officials in Los Angeles.

Similarly, Ramos-Solano's daughter, Gloria Ramos, told the media what happened to her father was "very inhumane" and said her family deserves to know the truth behind his death.

"I want justice for my father and for all the families who have lost someone. This is not a way to lose a loved one," she said.

Speaking at the press conference, Vanessa Calva Ruiz, director general for consular protection and strategic planning, attributed the 14 deaths to operational deficiencies and said Ramos-Solano's death is part of an "alarming and unacceptable trend."

The family's attorney, Jesús Eduardo Arias, said there has been no direct communication from immigration authorities with relatives to explain what happened. In the meantime, the legal team is conducting its own investigation to determine the cause of Ramos-Solano's death.

According to data from Mexican officials, Ramos-Solano is the 14th Mexican national to die while in ICE custody since January 2025. He is also the fourth Mexican national to die at the Adelanto ICE facility since last year, raising further concerns among human rights advocates about conditions there.

The Adelanto detention facility is run as a for-profit operation by GEO Group, ICE's largest private contractor. A coalition of immigrant rights and legal defense groups filed a federal lawsuit against GEO Group earlier this year, alleging the facility subjected detainees to inhumane treatment, including medical neglect.

For its part, ICE maintains its health protocols are humane.

"ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings 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; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care."