85-Year-Old Man Dies in ICE Custody in Harlingen, TX
An 85-year-old man from Germany died in ICE custody in Harlingen, Texas, on June 24, 2026 — nearly ten months after he tried to enter the United States without valid documents. Adrian Andreas Florian had dementia, high blood pressure, and other serious health conditions when he was detained. His death raises urgent questions about medical care and the treatment of elderly people in immigration detention.
What Happened
Adrian Andreas Florian, 85, a German national, died at 4:30 a.m. on June 24, 2026, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. He had been in ICE custody since August 29, 2025 — the day after he tried to enter the US at the Colombia Solidary Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo. He did not have valid travel documents and was found inadmissible (meaning he was not allowed to enter the country). US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processed him for a visa waiver refusal and sent his case to an immigration judge.
Florian suffered from dementia, high blood pressure, cognitive impairment, and ulcers. On October 1, 2025, ICE moved him to a rehabilitation and assisted living center. On November 4, 2025, he was transferred to Valley Baptist Medical Center because of his worsening dementia. He remained there under medical supervision until his death. The official cause of death is still pending an autopsy.
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Who Was Notified
After Florian's death, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) — the division of ICE that manages deportations and detentions — notified the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. ICE also notified the Consulate General of Germany, as required by international law, and Florian's next of kin. ICE publishes reports on all in-custody deaths on its public website at ICE.gov.
What to Do If a Family Member Is in ICE Detention
- Find out where they are detained. You can search the ICE detainee locator at ICE.gov using the person's name and country of birth.
- Contact the detention facility directly. Ask about the person's medical status and request to speak with a case officer.
- Contact the nearest consulate. If your family member is a foreign national, their country's consulate has the right to be notified and may be able to help.
- Talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can file emergency motions, request a bond hearing (a court hearing where a judge decides if the person can be released while their case continues), or challenge detention conditions.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Deportation Defense”.
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When a detained person has serious medical conditions like dementia or heart disease, attorneys can file an emergency motion asking the immigration court to release them on humanitarian grounds or request a bond hearing. ICE policy requires a full health assessment within 14 days of detention, and denying emergency care at any point is prohibited — if you believe those standards were violated, that can be grounds for a formal complaint or legal action. If your family member is in detention and their health is declining, do not wait — consult an immigration attorney right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE detain someone who is very old or seriously ill?
Yes, ICE can detain people regardless of age or health. However, ICE policy requires that all detainees receive medical care, including emergency care at all times. Lawyers can sometimes request release on humanitarian grounds for people with serious medical conditions.
What happens when someone dies in ICE custody?
ICE is required to notify several government agencies, including the DHS Office of Inspector General. If the person is a foreign national, ICE must also notify their country's consulate. ICE publishes a public report for every in-custody death on its website.
What is a visa waiver refusal, and what does it mean for someone trying to enter the US?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries, including Germany, to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa. If a person is found inadmissible at the border — for example, because they lack proper documents — they can be refused entry and referred to an immigration judge.
Can a family member get information about someone who died in ICE custody?
Yes. ICE notifies the next of kin or a designated contact after an in-custody death. You can also contact the ICE ERO office directly or reach out to the detainee's country's consulate for assistance. An immigration attorney can help you navigate this process.