ICE says an immigrant who died in a sprawling Texas detention facility killed himself

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 19, 2026 at 05:23 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old immigrant from Nicaragua, was found dead last week at the Fort Bliss immigration detention facility in El Paso, Texas. ICE stated that Diaz appeared to have killed himself on Wednesday and that a federal investigation is ongoing. This death follows the recent death of another detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, at the same facility earlier this month. While ICE stated staff were trying to prevent Lunas Campos from killing himself, a preliminary investigation suggests asphyxia from chest and neck compression, potentially classifying the death as a homicide. Diaz had entered the U.S. in March 2024, was released on parole, and was later ordered to leave the country after missing an August hearing. He was taken into custody on January 6th as part of a federal crackdown on immigration in Minnesota.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Minnesota 30% Border Patrol 30% Nicaragua 40% El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office 40% Camp Montana East 40% United States Army 50% Geraldo Lunas Campos ×360% Fort Bliss 60% El Paso, Texas ×270% Victor Manuel Diaz ×690% Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ×890%

Keywords

immigrant death 100% detention facility 90% suicide 80% immigration and customs enforcement 70% ice 70% in-custody death 60% fort bliss 50% el paso 50% asphyxia 40% homicide 40%