Green Card Holder Dies in ICE Custody in Laredo, TX
What happens when a green card holder dies inside an ICE detention facility — and the cause of death is still unknown? On October 17, 2026, Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias, a 56-year-old lawful permanent resident from Mexico, was found unresponsive in his bed at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas, and pronounced dead 22 minutes later. ICE says an autopsy will determine the official cause.
Andrade-Covarrubias was found unresponsive at approximately 9:48 a.m. on October 17, 2026, in his assigned bed at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas. Security staff immediately declared a medical emergency and began life-saving measures. The Laredo Fire Department Emergency Medical Service responded, but at 10:10 a.m. Andrade was pronounced dead. The cause of death remains unknown pending an autopsy.
How He Ended Up in Detention
U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested Andrade on June 26, 2026, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo while he was attempting to enter the United States. Although he held lawful permanent resident (LPR) status — commonly known as a green card — immigration officials determined he had obtained that status through fraudulent means by failing to disclose a prior arrest during the review process. He was transferred to ICE custody and placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. ICE stated he was receiving due process at the time of his death. His documented medical history included diabetes, hypertension, and anxiety.
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ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Consulate of Mexico, consistent with agency policy on in-custody deaths. The agency states that all detainees receive medical, dental, and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arrival, a full health assessment within 14 days, and access to 24-hour emergency care throughout their detention.
What to Do If You or a Family Member Is in ICE Detention
- If a family member is detained, contact an immigration lawyer immediately. A lawyer can check on their health status, file for a bond hearing, and review whether the detention is legally justified.
- If you hold a green card and have any prior arrests — even old ones — consult an immigration attorney before traveling internationally or appearing at a port of entry. Failing to disclose past arrests during the green card process can be used as grounds for removal.
- If a detained person has a serious medical condition such as diabetes or hypertension, their attorney can formally request that ICE provide documentation of the medical care being given.
- In the event of a death in ICE custody, family members have the right to request an independent autopsy and to contact the ICE Office of Inspector General if they believe proper care was not provided.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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This case is a reminder that a green card does not guarantee entry if officials believe it was obtained through fraud — specifically, by failing to disclose a prior arrest. Under immigration law, a lawful permanent resident can be placed in removal proceedings and detained at a port of entry. If you have any criminal history, even a decades-old arrest that never led to a conviction, you should consult an immigration attorney before traveling abroad or presenting yourself at a border crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder be detained by ICE at the border?
Yes. If immigration officials believe a green card was obtained through fraud — for example, by not disclosing a prior arrest — they can detain the person at the port of entry and place them in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
What medical care do ICE detainees have a right to receive?
According to ICE policy, all detainees must receive a medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arrival, a full health assessment within 14 days, and access to 24-hour emergency care at all times.
What happens when someone dies in ICE custody?
ICE is required to notify the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, and the detainee's home country consulate. ICE also publicly posts details on its Detainee Death Reporting page. An autopsy is typically conducted to determine the official cause of death.
Does an old arrest affect my green card or ability to enter the US?
It can. Immigration law requires applicants to disclose all prior arrests, even if the charges were dropped or never led to a conviction. Failing to disclose an arrest — even an old one — can be treated as fraud and used as grounds to revoke a green card or deny entry. Lawyers strongly recommend disclosing all arrests and consulting an attorney before any immigration application or border crossing.