ICE Sends Migrant's Body to Army Hospital After Homicide Ruling

The move comes after the El Paso medical examiner ruled a previous migrant's death at the same facility a homicide, contradicting ICE's suicide claim.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:31pm

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After the El Paso medical examiner ruled the death of a Cuban migrant at an ICE detention facility a homicide, the agency sent the body of the next migrant who died at the same facility to a military hospital for the autopsy, bypassing the county medical examiner. The family of the Nicaraguan migrant who died is not convinced he died by suicide, as ICE claimed.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about transparency and independence in the investigation of migrant deaths in ICE custody, especially after the medical examiner previously contradicted ICE's account of a death. There are questions about why ICE opted to use a military facility for the autopsy rather than the local medical examiner.

The details

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan, died on January 14 at the Camp East Montana immigration detention facility in El Paso. ICE said Diaz died by 'presumed suicide.' However, the family's attorney says they do not believe Diaz was suicidal. The autopsy is being performed at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, which does not release autopsy reports publicly. This comes after the El Paso Medical Examiner ruled the January 3 death of another detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban, a homicide, contradicting ICE's claim that he died by suicide.

  • On January 3, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban detainee, died at Camp East Montana.
  • On January 14, Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan detainee, died at Camp East Montana.
  • On January 21, the El Paso Medical Examiner's autopsy report ruled Lunas Campos' death a homicide.

The players

Victor Manuel Diaz

A 36-year-old Nicaraguan migrant who died at the Camp East Montana immigration detention facility in El Paso.

Geraldo Lunas Campos

A 55-year-old Cuban migrant who died at the Camp East Montana immigration detention facility in El Paso. The El Paso Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide, contradicting ICE's claim that he died by suicide.

Randall Kallinen

The attorney representing Victor Manuel Diaz's family.

Angélica César

A fellow at Human Rights Watch who commented on the concerns about the independence of the investigation into Diaz's death.

Yorlan Diaz

The brother of Victor Manuel Diaz, who said his brother was not suicidal and was looking for a better life in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“Why did they go against their previous practice?”

— Randall Kallinen, Attorney representing Victor Manuel Diaz's family

“The more credible approach here would have been for local, independent authorities with no institutional ties to DHS to conduct the autopsy and the investigation. And this would ultimately protect both the families and the integrity of the investigative process itself.”

— Angélica César, Fellow, Human Rights Watch

“He was not a criminal; he was looking for a better life and he wanted to help our mother.”

— Yorlan Diaz

What’s next

The results of Victor Manuel Diaz's autopsy at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center are expected to be released to his family and investigators, but not publicly.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and independence in investigations of migrant deaths in ICE custody, especially after a previous ruling contradicted the agency's account. It raises questions about why ICE opted to bypass the local medical examiner and send the body to a military facility for the autopsy.