Mexico denounces ‘alarming’ rise as 14th national dies in US immigration custody

Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - A US Customs and Border Protection officer throws a Stinger CS rubber ball grenade at community members pushing back against a raid attempt on a store in Bell, just south of Los Angeles, California June 20, 2025. Mexico said yesterday that the deaths of more than a dozen nationals in US immigration custody were ‘alarming,’ as American authorities acknowledged a 14th person had died since President Donald Trump began his migration crackdown. — AFP pic

MEXICO CITY, March 31 — Mexico said yesterday that the deaths of more than a dozen nationals in US immigration custody were “alarming,” as American authorities acknowledged a 14th person had died since President Donald Trump began his migration crackdown.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants have been arrested across the United States as Trump looks to fulfil an election pledge to carry out the largest deportation operation ever.

But its scale and ferocity, including an overwhelming use of force by agents who critics say are undertrained, have sparked controversy.

This “is not an isolated case, but rather a reflection of an alarming and unacceptable trend,” Vanessa Calva Ruiz, Mexico’s Director of Consular Protection, told a press conference in Los Angeles.

“The recurrence and frequency of these deaths are absolutely unacceptable,” she said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said yesterday that Jose Ramos, 52, had been declared dead on March 25 after being found unresponsive at its Adelanto detention centre in California.

He was the 14th Mexican to die after contact with immigration authorities since Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. He was also the 14th foreign national to die in such circumstances in the first three months of this year.

“These deaths reveal systemic failures, operational deficiencies and possible negligence counter to the United States’ own protocols and regulations as well as international human rights standards,” Calva said.

ICE gave no cause of death for Ramos, who was detained on February 23, according to Jesus Arias, an attorney who said he would be taking legal action on behalf of the family.

The agency said personnel discovered Ramos “unconscious and unresponsive” and “immediately initiated life-saving procedures.”

A statement added that Ramos, whom it characterised as a “criminal illegal alien,” was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Arias said such a description was a familiar attempt to smear a victim.

“We saw it happen in Minnesota; what this administration does is... disparage the victim,” he said, referring to government narratives following the deaths of two Americans who were protesting immigration raids.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she would be lodging “protest actions” following Ramos’s death.

Mexico will also join a lawsuit filed by NGOs in the United States on January 26 addressing the issue of detention conditions. — AFP