A Mexican citizen has died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Georgia, according to a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday. Heber Sanchez Domínguez, 34, was found hanging from his neck and unresponsive in his sleeping quarters at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center in Clayton County, south of Atlanta, early in the morning.
Sanchez had been in ICE custody for six days and was awaiting a hearing when he died. Medical staff attempted to save him but were unable to revive him. The cause of death is currently under investigation.
ICE first encountered Sanchez on January 7 after he was arrested for driving without a license. Two days later, the agency filed a notice requiring him to appear before an immigration judge. Sanchez entered the U.S. illegally on December 22, 2023, at or near Nogales, Arizona, and was released without bond.
The Mexican consulate in Atlanta has been "closely monitoring" the situation and is working with ICE to ensure that the investigation into Sanchez's death is conducted promptly and transparently. The consulate plans to return his remains to Mexico as soon as possible.
Sanchez's death brings the number of people who have died in ICE custody so far this year to at least four, according to agency data. Last year was the deadliest on record for ICE detainees in two decades, with at least 30 people dying in detention centers. The agency has faced intense public scrutiny following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer in Minneapolis on January 7.
Sanchez had been in ICE custody for six days and was awaiting a hearing when he died. Medical staff attempted to save him but were unable to revive him. The cause of death is currently under investigation.
ICE first encountered Sanchez on January 7 after he was arrested for driving without a license. Two days later, the agency filed a notice requiring him to appear before an immigration judge. Sanchez entered the U.S. illegally on December 22, 2023, at or near Nogales, Arizona, and was released without bond.
The Mexican consulate in Atlanta has been "closely monitoring" the situation and is working with ICE to ensure that the investigation into Sanchez's death is conducted promptly and transparently. The consulate plans to return his remains to Mexico as soon as possible.
Sanchez's death brings the number of people who have died in ICE custody so far this year to at least four, according to agency data. Last year was the deadliest on record for ICE detainees in two decades, with at least 30 people dying in detention centers. The agency has faced intense public scrutiny following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer in Minneapolis on January 7.
This is just heartbreaking. Another life lost in the system, it's like they're not even human anymore 
. We need more transparency and accountability here, this can't keep happening 
.
his name was heber and he was only 34, what a young life cut short... i mean, i know we need to enforce our borders and all that, but is this really the way to do it? 
. can't let another person die cuz of bureaucratic red tape or poor conditions in detention centers 
. we need 2 fix this before it's too late #JusticeForHeber #EndImmigrationDetentionAbuse
