Venezuelan national passes away in ICE custody

HOUSTON - A Venezuelan national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away at the Conroe Regional Hospital in Conroe, Texas, April 18. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

Edixon Del Jesus Farias-Farias, a 26-year-old citizen of Venezuela, illegally entered the United States on Dec. 25, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was immediately apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and transferred into ICE custody at the IAH Secure Adult Detention Facility in Livingston, Texas, on Dec. 28, 2023.

On Jan. 19, 2024, an immigration judge with the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered Farias-Farias removed from the U.S. to Venezuela. On Jan. 26, Farias-Farias was transferred to the Joe Corley Processing Center in Conroe.

On March 18, Farias-Farias was admitted to the Conroe Regional Hospital, where he remained until his passing.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.

Additionally, ICE notified Venezuelan officials of Farias-Farias' passing. Staff from the Conroe Regional Hospital notified Farias-Farias' next of kin.

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, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained noncitizen denied emergent care.

Upon an official report of a detained noncitizen death, ERO makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media and posts a news release with relevant details on the public website within two business days, per agency policy. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom.

Additionally, Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill (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.