Cuban immigrant's death at Camp East Montana likely 'homicide'

Jan. 15, 2026 Updated Jan. 16, 2026, 10:36 a.m. MT

Editor's note: This story has been update with new information.

The death of a Cuban migrant "who experienced medical distress" while being held at an ICE detention center in El Paso is being investigated as a "likely homicide."

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said in a statement that "we have now learned that another detainee has died, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner is likely to rule it a homicide."

The Washington Post first reported the new development in the migrant's death on Thursday, Jan. 15.

ICE officials made Geraldo Lunas Campos' death public in a Jan. 9 news release.

"His cause of death is under investigation," the news release states.

Lunas Campos' daughter shared an audio recording with the Post where the employee stated that the doctor had listed his preliminary reason for death as the result of "asphyxia due to neck and chest compression."

“Our doctor is believing that we’re going to be listing the manner of death as homicide,” the employee said in the recording, according to the Post.

The final cause of death will be determined once a toxicology report has been completed.

The El Paso County Medical Examiner Office Chief of Operations Irene Santiago said the autopsy report was still pending and not publicly available as of Friday, Jan. 16.

Escobar: Shut down Camp East Montana

Escobar issued a new call to have the East El Paso ICE detention center shut down.

"I reiterate what I’ve said before: this facility should be shut down and the contract terminated," Escobar said. "It has never adhered to basic or appropriate standards to ensure the safety and dignity of the human beings in custody and it is clearly a profit-making enterprise for the corporation."

Escobar has repeatedly reached out to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Director Todd Lyons to provide more information about the contract and the facility's operations.

"As a member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee for the House Appropriations Committee, I can unequivocally say that DHS is operating with absolutely no regard for transparency, truthfulness or regard for human life," Escobar said in the statement. "There must be accountability for this and other egregious violations of our values as a nation and the laws DHS is required to follow."

Lunas Campos' death remains under investigation

The FBI cannot confirm nor deny if an investigation is underway because of U.S. Department of Justice policy. Typically, the FBI investigates homicides at federal facilities and on federal property. Camp East Montana is located on Fort Bliss property.

The Washington Post also reported that one migrant, Santos Jesus Flores, who was held at the facility, stated that Lunas Campos had struggled with five guards as they tried to place him in segregation. Lunas Campos reportedly told guards he couldn't breathe in Spanish.

Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old from Cuba, was reported dead on Jan. 3 after being held in segregation after a "disruptive" while in line for medication. He had been held at the facility for nearly four months.

He refused to return to his assigned dorm, the ICE news release states.

"He was subsequently placed in segregation. While in segregation, staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance," the release states. "Medical staff responded, initiated lifesaving measures, and requested emergency medical services. Lunas was pronounced deceased by EMS."

He was the second immigrant held at the Camp East Montana facility to die since it opened in August 2025.

At least four immigrants have died in immigration detention since Jan. 1.

Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:[email protected]; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.