Man Dies in ICE Custody During Transfer Between GA Facilities
What happens when someone dies in ICE custody during a routine transfer? On July 13, 2026, Jesus Manuel Arenas-Silva, a 45-year-old Venezuelan man, was found unresponsive on a bus between two Georgia detention centers. He was pronounced dead less than an hour later — raising urgent questions about medical oversight during detainee transport.
Arenas-Silva was being transferred from the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla to the Folkston D. Ray ICE Processing Center in Folkston when staff found him unresponsive at approximately 7:46 a.m. on July 13. Staff began lifesaving measures immediately. Emergency medical services transported him to Irwin County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:31 a.m. ET. ICE listed suspected cardiac arrest as the cause of death; the official cause is pending further medical examination.
How He Ended Up in Detention
ICE arrested Arenas-Silva on July 9, 2026, during a targeted enforcement action in Dallas, Georgia. He had an outstanding warrant of removal. According to ICE, he entered the United States without inspection near Calexico, California, on October 11, 2021. He had previously been found inadmissible at the San Luis Port of Entry in Arizona on October 2, 2021. An immigration judge in Atlanta ordered him removed to Venezuela on April 27, 2026. ICE stated that while in custody, Arenas-Silva received medical care and was seen by medical professionals.
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ICE policy requires that all people in custody receive a medical screening within 12 hours of arriving at each facility and a full health assessment within 14 days of entering custody. The agency notified the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, the Embassy of Venezuela, and Arenas-Silva's next of kin. ICE also posted a public notice, as it does for all in-custody deaths, on its Detainee Death Reporting page.
What to Do If You or Someone You Know Is in ICE Detention
- If a detained person has a medical condition, their attorney or family member can request in writing that the facility provide documentation of medical care received — this is a recognized right under ICE detention standards.
- If you receive a removal order, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Missing this window closes most legal options.
- Family members of a detained person can call the ICE detainee locator (1-888-351-4024) to find out which facility holds their relative and request information about their condition.
- If a loved one dies in ICE custody, the family has the right to request an independent autopsy. Contact an immigration attorney immediately to understand your options.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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Deaths during transport are a serious gap in ICE's medical oversight framework — detainees are most vulnerable precisely when they are between facilities and away from medical staff. Family members should know they can demand an independent autopsy and request all medical records through legal counsel. If you have a loved one in ICE custody with a known medical condition, an attorney can file an emergency motion to ensure proper care or challenge transfer decisions — consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ICE have to notify my family if I die in custody?
Yes. ICE policy requires notification of the detainee's next of kin and, if applicable, the relevant foreign embassy. ICE also notifies Congress, the DHS Inspector General, and the Office of Professional Responsibility, and posts a public notice on its website.
What medical care is a detainee legally entitled to?
Under ICE detention standards, every person in custody must receive a medical screening within 12 hours of arriving at each facility and a full health assessment within 14 days of entering custody. Emergency care must be available 24 hours a day and cannot be denied.
If I have a removal order, how long do I have to appeal?
You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If that window has passed, a Motion to Reopen may be filed within 90 days, but the grounds are more limited. Talk to an immigration attorney right away.
Can a family member request an independent autopsy if someone dies in ICE custody?
Yes. Families have the right to request an independent autopsy. ICE conducts its own medical review, but an independent examination can provide additional information. An immigration or civil rights attorney can help the family make this request and preserve evidence.