Detainees Allege Cuban Man Slammed to Ground Before Death in ICE Custody

Sworn declarations claim guards choked and asphyxiated Geraldo Lunas Campos at Texas detention facility

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Several detainees at a Texas immigration detention facility have submitted sworn declarations alleging they heard a Cuban immigrant, Geraldo Lunas Campos, pleading for his asthma medication shortly before hearing what sounded like guards slamming him to the ground. Campos died in ICE custody on January 3, and an autopsy ruled his death a homicide due to asphyxiation. Attorneys for Campos' family have filed an emergency petition to prevent alleged witnesses from being deported.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the use of force by guards at immigration detention facilities, which have faced increased scrutiny over allegations of abuse and poor conditions. The death of Campos, who had prior convictions but was being held on immigration charges, could further fuel debates around immigration enforcement and the rights of detainees.

The details

According to the sworn declarations, detainees Henry Bolano and Santo Jesus Flores said they heard Campos ask guards for his asthma medication, with one guard responding 'Shut up or we're going to make you faint.' Flores then said he heard a 'struggle ensue' that sounded like 'the slamming of a person's body against the floor or the wall,' followed by Campos screaming that he couldn't breathe. The detainees said they could hear attempts to revive Campos, but he could not be kept alive.

  • Geraldo Lunas Campos died in ICE custody on January 3, 2026.
  • An autopsy report released last week determined Campos' death was a homicide due to asphyxiation.

The players

Geraldo Lunas Campos

A Cuban immigrant who died in ICE custody on January 3, 2026, with his death ruled a homicide due to asphyxiation.

Henry Bolano

A detainee at the Texas immigration detention facility who submitted a sworn declaration alleging he heard Campos pleading for his asthma medication before hearing what sounded like guards slamming him to the ground.

Santo Jesus Flores

A detainee at the Texas immigration detention facility who submitted a sworn declaration alleging he heard a 'struggle ensue' that sounded like 'the slamming of a person's body against the floor or the wall' after Campos asked for his medication, followed by Campos screaming that he couldn't breathe.

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What they’re saying

“The guard then said, 'Shut up or we're going to make you faint.' The last thing I heard was Geraldo speak in a voice that sounded like he couldn't breathe. He said, 'Let go of me. You're asphyxiating me.'”

— Henry Bolano, Detainee

“I heard Geraldo scream that he could not breathe. I could hear them trying to revive him, but they could not keep him alive.”

— Santo Jesus Flores, Detainee

What’s next

Attorneys for the Campos family have filed an emergency petition to prevent alleged witnesses from being deported, which was granted by a federal judge.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees and use of force by guards at immigration detention facilities, which have faced increased scrutiny over allegations of abuse and poor conditions. The death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, who had prior convictions but was being held on immigration charges, could further fuel debates around immigration enforcement and the rights of detainees.