A third death in just weeks at a $1.24 billion private ICE detention facility exposes the deadly failures of Biden-era immigration policies that Trump must now address.
Story Highlights
- Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, found dead at Camp East Montana after eight days in custody
- Third death at the privately-run facility, with two fatalities occurring within one month
- Previous death may be ruled homicide following violent struggle with staff
- Congressional Democrats now demanding facility closure after years of mismanagement
Deadly Pattern Emerges at Private Detention Center
Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan national, died January 14 at Camp East Montana detention facility in El Paso, Texas, marking the third fatality at the privately-operated ICE facility. Contract security staff discovered Diaz unresponsive in his room just eight days after his arrest in Minneapolis. Despite efforts by on-site medical staff and El Paso EMS, life-saving measures failed. ICE classified the death as a presumed suicide, though investigations continue.
The facility’s troubling safety record intensified January 3 when Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died under suspicious circumstances. According to Washington Post reporting, the medical examiner’s office may rule Campos’ death a homicide pending toxicology results. This contradicts DHS claims that Campos died during a violent struggle with staff attempting suicide intervention, raising serious questions about staff conduct and training protocols.
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Congressional Pressure Mounts for Facility Shutdown
Representative Veronica Escobar of Texas demanded immediate closure of Camp East Montana, stating “Two deaths in one month means conditions are worsening.” Her call highlights the facility’s $1.24 billion price tag and private operation model that prioritizes profits over safety. The deaths expose how previous administration policies created a system where contract security staff lack proper oversight and accountability measures essential for protecting detainees.
These tragedies demonstrate the consequences of delegating federal immigration enforcement to private contractors without adequate supervision. The facility operates with contract security personnel and limited federal oversight, creating conditions where proper safety protocols may be compromised. Trump’s administration inherited this flawed detention infrastructure that requires immediate reform to prevent further loss of life.
Investigation Reveals Systemic Failures
Both deaths remain under active investigation, with toxicology results pending that could dramatically alter official findings. The conflicting accounts surrounding Campos’ death particularly concerning, as DHS explanations contradict potential homicide classifications from medical examiners. These discrepancies suggest either inadequate initial investigations or attempts to minimize facility liability through misleading public statements.
A Nicaraguan man died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody last week at the Camp East Montana detention facility, marking the third death reported at the site. https://t.co/xFHs1dCTi9
— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) January 19, 2026
ICE released statements affirming commitment to “safe and humane detention,” yet actions speak louder than words when multiple deaths occur within weeks. The pattern indicates systemic problems requiring immediate federal intervention rather than corporate public relations responses. American taxpayers deserve accountability for the $1.24 billion investment in facilities that cannot ensure basic safety standards for those in custody.
Sources:
ICE reports death of Nicaraguan man at Camp East Montana in El Paso
Man detained in Minneapolis dies in ICE custody in Texas
