Since Donald Trump took office in January 2025, arrests of undocumented immigrants in Georgia have increased significantly.
This increase has led to overcrowding in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, creating deplorable conditions for detainees.
Death of Mexican migrant at Stewart Detention Center
Activists have denounced that some immigrants without criminal records are being transferred to common jails due to lack of space in ICE detention centers.
On June 7, 2025, Jesus Molina Veya, a 45-year-old Mexican migrant, was found lifeless at the Stewart Detention Center (SDC) in Lumpkin, Georgia.
According to official reports, he was found with a ligature around his neck, and although resuscitation maneuvers were attempted, he was pronounced dead at Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, Georgia.
This is the second death of a migrant in ICE custody in Georgia so far this year and the eighth nationally.
Reactions from activists and Mexican authorities
Immigrant rights organizations, such as El Refugio, have described the situation in ICE detention centers in Georgia as alarming.
Amilcar Valencia, executive director of El Refugio, said that “another death is a stark reminder of the cruelty of a system that fails to provide basic care”.
For its part, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has requested a thorough investigation into the death of Molina Veya and has been in contact with local authorities and the deceased’s family to clarify the circumstances of his death.
Expansion of the ICE Processing Center at Folkston
Amid these concerns, ICE has approved a plan to expand the ICE Processing Center in Folkston, Georgia, making it the largest in the country.
The expansion, which involves an investment of US$47 million and the creation of 400 jobs, will increase the center’s capacity from 1,100 to nearly 3,000 beds.
However, this decision has been criticized by immigrant rights advocates due to previous reports of substandard conditions and inadequate medical care at the facility.
Abusos, tortura, condiciones infrahumanas y maltrato es lo que denuncian los migrantes detenidos en dichos centros en Georgia
Humanitarian crisis in detention centers
Buzzy
The situation in Georgia’s immigration detention centers reflects a humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of people, including the Hispanic community in the United States.
Overcrowding, deplorable conditions and deaths in ICE custody underscore the need for a comprehensive review of detention policies and respect for the human rights of immigrants.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
