stanforddams/biglocal huggingface dataset:
October 3, 2025San Diego, CA, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Illegal alien from China passes away at Regional Medical Center near San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Huabing Xie, an illegal alien from the People’s Republic of China, died at El Centro Regional Medical Center Sept. 29.

Xie was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m. after being transported to the hospital from the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico.

Facility staff reported that Xie experienced what appeared to be a seizure and became unresponsive at about 2:13 p.m. Medical personnel at the detention center administered CPR and used an automated external defibrillator before emergency medical services arrived. First responders continued life-saving efforts while transporting Xie to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Xie near Tecate, California, Dec. 31, 2023, and was served a notice to appear before the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review and placed into removal proceedings. He was released on an order of recognizance the same day.

The border patrol arrested Xie again on Sept. 12 in Indio, California, and transferred him to ICE custody the following day.

ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Chinese consulate about Xie’s death, as required by agency policy.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon an official report of a detained illegal alien’s death, and per agency policy, posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website within two business days. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill of 2018 require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments, and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during ICE detention is an alien denied emergent care.

Reports of in-custody deaths are posted on the ICE website within two business days, and additional details are made public within 90 days.

Updated: 10/05/2025
November 3, 2025Los Angeles, CA, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Illegal alien dies at Victorville Medical Center in California after complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome

LOS ANGELES — An illegal alien from Mexico died at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville Oct. 23. At 7:45 p.m., Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, 56, a Mexican national, was pronounced dead by medical professionals.

ICE arrested Garcia and transferred him to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center Oct. 15. Garcia did not spend the night at Adelanto because that same day Garcia exhibited suspected alcohol withdrawal symptoms and was therefore immediately admitted to the Victor Valley Global Medical Center.

While in the care of Victor Valley Global Medical Center medical professionals, Garcia’s condition worsened over the following days, and at approximately 7:35 p.m. Oct. 23, hospital staff declared Garcia unresponsive and initiated life-saving measures. At approximately 7:44 p.m., family members present at the hospital requested that medical staff discontinue resuscitation efforts. Garcia was pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. Hospital staff attributed the death to cardiac arrest due to alcohol withdrawals.

Upon his arrival at the Adelanto facility, Garcia exhibited symptoms consistent with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including disorientation, confusion and impaired mobility. He informed medical staff that he consumed approximately two pints of liquor daily.

Garcia had a history of multiple unlawful entries into the United States in 2007 and 2008. In 2011, Garcia was arrested by the Costa Mesa Police Department for disorderly conduct.

An immigration judge administratively closed Garcia’s removal proceedings in November 2014.

Garcia was arrested multiple times between 2021 and 2025 by the Costa Mesa Police Department for offenses such as providing false identification to a police officer and disorderly conduct. ICE lodged immigration detainers following some of these arrests, but local authorities did not honor them.

On Oct. 14, Garcia-Aviles was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in Santa Ana pursuant to a warrant of arrest. He was transferred to ICE custody at the Santa Ana Hold Rooms pending removal proceedings.

Updated: 11/03/2025
January 9, 2026Indio, CA, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Illegal alien in ICE custody passes away at California hospital

Luis Beltran Yanez–Cruz, a 68-year-old illegal alien from Honduras in ICE custody, passed away Jan. 6 at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio after being admitted for heart-related health issues.

Yanez, an illegal alien unlawfully present in the United States, was pronounced deceased at 1:18 a.m. PT by a physician.

On Jan. 4, staff at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico transferred Yanez to the medical unit for evaluation of chest pain. Yanez was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center and later transferred by helicopter to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital for a higher level of care. Despite medical intervention, Yanez was pronounced deceased in the early morning hours of Jan. 6.

Yanez entered the United States without inspection, admission or parole by an immigration officer. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him near Eagle Pass, Texas, in June 1993 for illegal entry, and he was subsequently removed from the United States. At an unknown date, Yanez reentered the country without authorization. Between 1999 and 2012, he submitted multiple applications for temporary protected status, all of which were denied.

On Nov. 16, 2025, ICE encountered and arrested Yanez during a targeted enforcement operation in Newark, New Jersey. Officials served him a notice to appear charging removability and transferred him to ICE custody. At the time of his death, Yanez was in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

Consistent with ICE policy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Professional Responsibility was notified via the Joint Intake Center. ICE also provided telephonic notification of Yanez’s death to the Honduran Consulate in Los Angeles.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon official reports of in-custody alien deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE’s public website. You may access this information in ICE.gov’s Newsroom. Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require ICE to publicize all reports regarding in-custody deaths within 90 days. You may access these reports on ICE.gov’s Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergency care.

Updated: 01/09/2026
January 7, 2026Conroe, TX, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Illegal alien in ICE custody passes away at Houston-area hospital after being admitted for chronic heart-related health issues

CONROE, Texas — Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, a 42-year-old illegal alien from Honduras in ICE custody, passed away Jan. 5 at HCA Houston Healthcare in Conroe after being admitted for chronic heart-related health issues.

On Jan. 5, at approximately 4:31 a.m. CT, HCA notified ICE personnel that Nunez was pronounced deceased by medical staff. Nunez was admitted to HCA on Dec. 23, 2025, for complications related to congenital heart failure and remained at HCA until his passing.

On an unknown date, Nunez illegally entered the United States at an unknown place without being inspected, admitted or paroled by an immigration officer.

ICE officers arrested Nunez, Nov. 17, 2025, during an operation in Houston, and he was taken to the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe. On Nov. 25, 2025, ICE transferred Nunez to the Joe Corley Processing Center in Conroe.

On Dec. 23, 2025, Nunez was transported to HCA in Conroe due to an exacerbation of congestive heart failure. On Dec. 31, 2025, he suffered multiple life-threatening medical emergencies, and HCA medical personnel moved him to the intensive care unit, where he remained until his death.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon official reports of in-custody alien deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE’s public website. You may access this information in ICE.gov’s Newsroom. Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require ICE to publicize all reports regarding in-custody deaths within 90 days. You may access these reports on ICE.gov’s Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergency care.

Updated: 01/07/2026
February 27, 2025Boise, ID, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, following US Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation

BOISE — Jose Salvador Alcaraz-Curiel, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for being a deported alien found in the United States, following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation, Feb. 24, 2025.

According to court records, Alcaraz-Curiel was previously removed from the U.S. in October 2018 and September 2020.

“This conviction underscores the dedication of ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents in safeguarding our nation’s laws,” said ICE HSI Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy. “By holding individuals accountable for illegally reentering the United States, we emphasize the vital role of immigration enforcement in protecting the safety and security of our communities. We remain fully committed to enforcing immigration laws to safeguard the American public.”

After his second removal, Alcaraz-Curiel again reentered the United States illegally and without lawful authority. ICE encountered Alcaraz-Curiel in Canyon County in March 2024. Alcaraz-Curiel has history of state misdemeanor and felony convictions in Idaho, as well as a 2020 federal conviction in the District of Arizona for being a deported alien found in the United States.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the efforts of ICE for their work on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis J. Zebari prosecuted this case.

Updated: 02/27/2025
December 18, 2025Natchez, MS, United StatesDetainee Death Notifications

Illegal alien from Nicaragua passes away at a hospital in Natchez

NATCHEZ, Miss. — On Dec. 14, 2025, ICE detainee Delvin Francisco Rodriguez, a 39-year-old illegal alien from Nicaragua, was pronounced dead at the Merit Health Natchez facility following a failed test to determine brain function. Per the wishes of the Rodriguez family, medical staff removed him from the ventilator.

On Dec 4, 2025, Adams County Detention Center medical staff responded to an emergency medical call. During the emergency response, Rodriguez did not respond to staff and did not have a pulse. Life saving measures were performed and he was transferred to the hospital, where he later passed away.

Rodriguez entered the United States at an unknown location and date without inspection, admission, or parole by an immigration officer. On June 9, 2018, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Rodriguez near Menagers Dam Village, Arizona. He was determined to be inadmissible, served a Notice and Order of Expedited Removal, and released on bond in July 2018.

On Sept. 25, 2025, ERO Denver Fugitive Operations arrested Rodriguez in Dillon, Colorado, and he was ordered removed to Nicaragua in October 2025 after waiving appeal. ERO Denver transferred Rodriguez to ERO New Orleans for removal staging; Rodriguez was booked into Adams County Detention Center pending his removal to Nicaragua on Dec. 13, 2025.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All illegal aliens in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments, and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during ICE detention is an alien denied emergent care.

ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Nicaraguan consulate about Rodriguez’s death, as required by agency policy.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon an official report of a detained illegal alien’s death, and per agency policy, posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom.

Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill of 2018 require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

Updated: 12/19/2025
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February 3, 2025Orlando, FL, United StatesDocument and Benefit Fraud

Illegal alien pleads guilty to reentry after deportation

ORLANDO, Fla. — An illegal alien from Mexico has pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported alien after being arrested for aggravated battery and obstruction of justice following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.

Oscar Manuel Inda-Duenas, 36, of Mexico, faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Inda-Duenas was previously removed from the United States in September 2016. Following that, he did not receive the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. On Dec. 4, 2024, Inda-Duenas was arrested in the Middle District of Florida on state charges of aggravated battery and obstruction of justice by hindering witness communication with law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, Inda-Duenas was found to be voluntarily back in the United States.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.

Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.

Updated: 06/13/2025
November 17, 2025Tulsa, OK, United StatesFirearms, Ammunition and Explosives

Illegal alien, son charged with allegedly trafficking more than 75 firearms, bulk ammo following investigation by ICE, ATF, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol

TULSA, Okla. – Andres Avila, a 48-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, and his son, Anthony Avila, a 22-year-old Houston resident, have been charged with illegally trafficking firearms after they were caught allegedly trafficking 75 firearms and ammunition that they purchased at area gun shows. Andres is also charged with being an alien unlawfully in the U.S. in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The investigation that uncovered the scheme was conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“Oftentimes, illegally trafficked firearms end up in the hands of the drug cartels, terrorists, foreign adversaries, or other bad actors,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “By working alongside our partners to uncover this scheme and seize these firearms, we’ve prevented a large cache of deadly weapons from potentially being used to sew chaos or fueling other illicit criminal activity or acts of violence.”

The investigation began after special agents witnessed two individuals, later identified as Andres Avila and Anthony Avila (“Andres” and “Anthony”), allegedly engaging in activities consistent with straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Andres and Anthony were seen wearing backpacks and working together to purchase firearms. When their backpacks were full, it’s alleged that they emptied their bags into large totes kept beneath a specific vendor’s table. Court documents show that they paid cash to purchase firearms from private sellers in an attempt to avoid law enforcement detection.

After making several purchases and spending more than six hours at the gun show, agents observed Andres and Anthony leaving in a vehicle with a Texas license plate. When law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, they found large quantities of bulk ammunition marked in the vehicle, consistent with ammo purchased at the gun show. A subsequent records check revealed that Andres is in the United States illegally and prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms.

Agents interviewed the vendors sitting at the booth where the guns were stored in totes. They explained that Andres is not legally inside the United States and discovered that there were more than 75 firearms in the totes. Apparently, the vendors met Andres and Anthony through a Texas pawn shop and explained they would pay cash to purchase firearm magazines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated: 11/17/2025
April 7, 2025Tampa, FL, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

Illegal aliens from Mexico sentenced for illegal reentry into the US

TAMPA, Fla. – Two illegal aliens from Mexico have been sentenced to more than four years combined in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.

Julio Cesar Paniagua was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously removed alien. Herman Vazquez-Padilla was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States after committing an aggravated felony.

Paniagua pled guilty on Jan. 13, 2025. Vazquez-Padilla was found guilty on Dec. 23, 2024.

According to court documents, in 2011, Paniagua was convicted of a narcotics distribution conspiracy, and following a sentence of incarceration, was removed from the United States on Dec. 3, 2015. In 2018, Paniagua attempted to illegally reenter the United States and was charged, convicted, and incarcerated. Later that year, he was once again removed from the United States. At some point thereafter, he illegally reentered the United States and was found to be living in Dade City, Florida, on Nov. 18, 2024.

Vazquez-Padilla, an illegal alien of Mexico, reentered the United States without obtaining permission, after removal, following a conviction of an aggravated felony. Vazquez-Padilla was convicted of conspiracy to transport one hundred or more illegal aliens on Sept. 19, 2012. He was ordered removed on June 7, 2021, and was removed on Nov. 10, 2021. Sometime after Nov. 10, 2021, Vazquez-Padilla voluntarily and illegally reentered the United States. Vazquez-Padilla did not receive the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. On Aug. 28, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers found Vazquez-Padilla in Hillsborough County, Florida.

These cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karyna Valdes respectively.

Updated: 04/07/2025
August 7, 2025New York, NY, United StatesNarcotics, Enforcement and Removal

Illegal reentrant with prior murder, narcotics convictions sentenced to 100 months in prison following ICE New York investigation

NEW YORK — Juan Carlos Padilla Santos, a Dominican national with prior murder and narcotics convictions, was sentenced to 100 months in prison after an investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations New York uncovered he had illegally reentered the United States despite having been previously deported twice and having been the subject of a third removal order. Padilla Santos, 50, was convicted of murder in the Dominican Republic in 2016, but fled the country before serving his sentence. He instead returned to the U.S., where he was convicted in 2018 of possessing cocaine and bail jumping, and ultimately deported again. He was later accused of falsifying his own death and illegally returning to the U.S. a third time.

“Juan Carlos Padilla Santos exhibited time and time again his disregard for our immigration laws needed for public safety,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “With a history that includes murder, narcotics possession, and even apparently faking his own death, this defendant took repeated steps to illegally enter and reenter the U.S. Padilla Santos now faces a significant sentence for his actions.”

Read more on Justice.gov

Updated: 08/07/2025