UPDATE: A Cuban immigrant, Geraldo Lunas Campos, tragically died on January 3, 2026, in an ICE detention facility in El Paso, Texas, amid conflicting reports about the cause of his death. Witnesses allege that he was fatally choked by guards, while ICE claims he was attempting suicide.
The incident has raised urgent questions about the safety and treatment of detainees as the U.S. government intensifies immigration enforcement. According to the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office, preliminary autopsy findings suggest that Lunas Campos’ death may be classified as a homicide due to asphyxia from chest and neck compression.
Witnesses tell a different story from the official account. Detainee Santos Jesús Flores, who observed the incident, stated, “The guards grabbed him and killed him. The last thing he said was that he couldn’t breathe.” Flores reported that Lunas Campos was placed in a chokehold by multiple guards while handcuffed.
In stark contrast, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially described the situation as a botched suicide attempt, asserting that staff intervened in a struggle that resulted in Lunas Campos losing consciousness. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized, “Campos violently resisted the security staff and continued to attempt to take his life.”
The incident occurred at Camp Montana East, a hastily constructed detention facility on an Army base, which has faced scrutiny for its management by Acquisition Logistics LLC, a company with no prior experience in operating correctional facilities. The facility is part of a broader effort to hold large numbers of immigrants as the government ramps up enforcement.
Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old father of four, had been detained since September 2025 after being arrested in Rochester, New York. He had a criminal record that included a felony conviction for sexual contact with a minor, which made him eligible for removal under current immigration laws.
The day of his death, ICE reported that Lunas Campos became disruptive while waiting for medication. After refusing to return to his assigned dorm, he was taken to a segregation block, where he reportedly exhibited signs of distress. ICE stated that medical staff initiated lifesaving measures, but Lunas Campos was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived.
Flores and other detainees claim that Lunas Campos was already subdued when the guards restrained him, leading to his death within minutes. “After he stopped breathing, they removed the handcuffs,” Flores recounted.
The conflicting accounts have intensified scrutiny on immigration detention practices, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable individuals. This incident underscores a troubling pattern of deaths in custody following restraint, raising alarms among advocates and human rights organizations.
As Lunas Campos’ family awaits answers, his mother, Jeanette Pagan-Lopez, has expressed her anguish. She is working to raise funds to bring his body back to Rochester for burial. “I just want justice, and his body here. That’s all I want,” she stated, reflecting the emotional toll of this tragic event.
The El Paso County Medical Examiner has confirmed that an autopsy was conducted, but further details remain pending. The final determination of homicide will be crucial in assessing potential liability for the guards involved.
The broader implications of Lunas Campos’ death resonate within ongoing discussions about immigration reform and the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody. Advocates are calling for investigations, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement practices.
As the situation develops, authorities continue to face pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and ensure the safety of all individuals in custody.
