Mexico Confronts ICE Over Denied Access After Death of Detained Mexican Citizen in Georgia

Mexico is pursuing legal options after a Mexican citizen died earlier this month while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia. According to Mexican media reports, ICE is now preventing officials from the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta from entering the facility to speak with other detainees.

On June 7, 45-year-old Jesús Molina-Veya was found unconscious in his cell with a ligature around his neck, according to ICE. Despite CPR efforts, medical staff transferred him to Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, where he was pronounced dead later that evening.

As the investigation into his death continues, Proceso reports that Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has raised concerns that consular staff were "not notified for interviews" during recent visits to the ICE facility and has requested an explanation from officials at the detention center.

"The Consulate is analyzing the existing legal alternatives in this case and is maintaining direct follow-up with ICE authorities in Stewart. It is also in communication with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)," the SRE said in a statement posted on X.

On June 13, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexican authorities are working with U.S. officials and have requested more information from ICE "to find out what were the conditions of his death."

Sheinbaum also emphasized that a full investigation must be carried out and reaffirmed her administration's commitment to "always seek to ensure respect for the human rights of Mexicans abroad."

In a June 11 statement, ICE noted that Molina-Veya had a long criminal history. He had been removed from the United States multiple times since 1999 and had been arrested for various offenses, including driving under the influence, drug possession and child molestation.

His most recent arrest came in February for a probation violation and other offenses. He was convicted on April 3.

Molina-Veya's death marks the second time a Mexican national has died while in ICE custody at the Stewart Detention Center, a facility that has recently come under scrutiny for poor living conditions, reports of abuse and allegations of medical negligence.

Just last month, another Mexican national, Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado, died while being transferred to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin.

According to ICE's detainee death reporting data, Molina-Veya is the eighth person to die in ICE custody so far in 2025. The number of deaths reported in the first six months of this year represents 72% of all ICE custody deaths reported in 2024, raising alarm among immigrant rights advocates.