85-Year-Old Man Dies in ICE Custody in Texas
Adrian Andreas Florian, an 85-year-old man from Germany, died at a Texas hospital on June 24, 2026, after spending nearly ten months in ICE custody. He had dementia, high blood pressure, cognitive impairment, and ulcers — and he was detained after arriving at a Texas border crossing without valid documents. His death puts a spotlight on what happens to elderly and seriously ill people held in immigration detention.
You or someone you love is in ICE detention, dealing with serious health problems, and you are not sure what rights they have. The death of Adrian Andreas Florian, an 85-year-old man from Germany, raises hard questions about what happens to elderly and medically vulnerable people held in immigration custody.
Florian arrived at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo on August 28, 2025. He did not have valid travel documents and was found inadmissible. U.S. Customs and Border Protection processed him for a visa waiver refusal and referred his case to a Department of Justice immigration judge. The next day, August 29, 2025, he was transferred to ICE custody. By 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 in Harlingen due to dementia concerns, along with a history of high blood pressure, cognitive impairment, and ulcers. He died there on June 24, 2026, at 4:30 a.m. His official cause of death is still pending an autopsy.
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What ICE Is Required to Do When Someone Dies in Custody
Under ICE policy, the agency must notify several government bodies when a detainee dies. In Florian's case, ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility through the Joint Intake Center. ICE also notified the Consulate General of Germany, as required by international law, and contacted Florian's next of kin. ICE states that all detainees receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arriving at a facility, a full health assessment within 14 days, and 24-hour emergency care at all times.
What to Do If a Family Member Is Detained and Has Health Problems
- Contact the detention facility directly and ask about the detainee's medical status. You have the right to know where your family member is held — use the ICE detainee locator at ice.gov.
- Ask an immigration lawyer about filing a request for release on humanitarian grounds, especially if the detainee is elderly or seriously ill. Lawyers can also request a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
- If you believe a detainee is not receiving proper medical care, file a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General at oig.dhs.gov.
- Ask the consulate of the detainee's home country for help. Under international law, consulates must be notified when their citizens are detained — and they can sometimes provide support or legal referrals.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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When a detainee has serious medical conditions like dementia or heart disease, attorneys can file an emergency motion asking the immigration judge to release that person on their own recognizance or on a low bond — courts do consider humanitarian factors. Families should also know that ICE is legally required to notify the detainee's consulate, and that consulate can sometimes apply diplomatic pressure or connect the family with legal aid. If you have a loved one in detention with health concerns, consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible — delays can be dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE detain someone who is very old or seriously ill?
Yes. ICE has the legal authority to detain people found inadmissible at the border regardless of age or health. However, attorneys can ask an immigration judge to release a detainee on humanitarian grounds, especially when the person has serious medical needs.
What medical care do ICE detainees have the right to receive?
According to ICE policy, all detainees must receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arriving at a facility, a full health assessment within 14 days, and 24-hour emergency care. Emergency care cannot be denied at any point during detention.
Who gets notified if someone dies in ICE custody?
ICE is required to notify the Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, the detainee's next of kin, and — if the person is a foreign national — the consulate of their home country. ICE also notifies Congress and the public through its website.
What can I do if I think a detained family member is not getting proper medical care?
You can file a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General at oig.dhs.gov. You can also contact an immigration attorney to explore legal options, including requesting a bond hearing or emergency release based on medical need.