Man Dies in ICE Custody in Georgia Before First Hearing
Luis Sandoval, a 48-year-old Salvadoran man, died at an ICE detention center in Folkston, Georgia on October 23, 2026 — before his first immigration court hearing ever took place. ICE staff found him with a ligature around his neck; emergency responders could not save him. His death raises urgent questions about mental health screening inside immigration detention.
A 48-year-old Salvadoran man died at the Folkston D. Ray ICE Processing Center in Georgia on October 23, 2026 — just 15 days after arriving at the facility and before he ever appeared before an immigration judge. ICE identified the man as Luis Sandoval. Staff found him with a ligature around his neck at 1:46 a.m. Charlton County EMS responded, but Sandoval was pronounced dead at 2:28 a.m.
ICE arrested Sandoval on October 2, 2026 through its Newark office and issued him a Notice to Appear — the formal document that starts removal proceedings before an immigration judge. He was transferred to Folkston on October 8, 2026, pending his first removal hearing. That hearing never took place. An autopsy is underway to determine the official cause and manner of death. ICE's Office of Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility have been notified, as required by agency policy.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
ICE states that all detainees receive a medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at a facility, and a full health assessment within 14 days of entering custody. The agency says 24-hour emergency care is always available. Sandoval's death is the latest in a series of in-custody deaths that advocacy groups say point to systemic gaps in mental health monitoring inside immigration detention centers.
What detainees and their families should know
- If a family member is detained by ICE, you can locate them using the ICE Online Detainee Locator at ice.gov — you need their country of birth and either their full name or their ICE detainee ID number.
- Detainees have the right to a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Lawyers recommend requesting this hearing as soon as possible after arrest, especially if the person has mental health concerns.
- If you believe a detainee is not receiving proper medical or mental health care, contact a nonprofit immigration legal organization immediately — groups like the ACLU or local legal aid offices can file emergency complaints.
- In-custody deaths are reported publicly on ICE's Detainee Death Reporting page at ice.gov. Families can request records through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
When a client enters ICE detention, one of the first things I do is request a copy of their intake medical screening — detainees are entitled to that assessment within 12 hours of arrival, and it documents any mental health flags. If the facility is not following its own care protocols, that record becomes critical evidence for a complaint or civil rights claim. Anyone with a detained family member showing signs of distress should contact an immigration attorney immediately, not after the next scheduled hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to removal proceedings when a detainee dies in ICE custody?
The removal case is administratively closed upon the detainee's death. No deportation order is issued. Family members are not directly affected by the deceased's case, though they may have their own separate immigration situations.
Does ICE have to tell my family if I am detained or if something happens to me?
ICE is required to notify Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, and certain oversight offices when a detainee dies. However, ICE does not automatically notify family members — that is why it is critical to give a trusted contact your detainee ID number and the facility name as soon as you are detained.
What mental health care are ICE detainees entitled to?
According to ICE policy, every detainee must receive a mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at a facility and a full health assessment within 14 days. They also have access to ongoing mental health appointments. If you believe these standards are not being met, a legal aid organization can file a formal complaint.
Can a family sue ICE if a detainee dies in custody?
Families may have legal options, including a civil rights lawsuit or a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) complaint against the government. These cases are complex and time-sensitive. Lawyers recommend consulting a civil rights or immigration attorney as soon as possible after a death in custody.