Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the death of Jesus Molina-Veya, a 45-year-old Mexican national, while in custody at a Georgia detention center.
The death occurred on June 7, 2025, at Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, where medical professionals pronounced him dead at 6:42 p.m. The cause of his death is still under investigation.
Found unconscious in his cell
Buzzy
As confirmed by ICE in a statement on its website, that same day, ICE staff noticed a group of detainees gathered in front of Molina-Veya’s cell.
Upon approaching, the agents discovered the man unconscious and with a noose tied around his neck.
The prison medical team attempted to resuscitate him by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital where he was eventually confirmed dead.
Immigration and criminal records
According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records, Molina-Veya had entered the United States irregularly on multiple occasions since 1999.
His first contact with immigration authorities occurred near San Ysidro, California, when he was arrested by the Border Patrol on April 19 of that year and deported the following day.
However, he re-entered the country illegally and, over the years, accumulated a number of criminal records, including DUI, drug possession, assault, underage drinking and driving without a license.
He was subsequently deported repeatedly, most recently on July 22, 2007, but continued to re-enter in an unauthorized manner.
One of his most serious priors included a conviction for child sexual abuse, as well as other charges of fleeing after an accident and possession of controlled substances.
His last arrest occurred on February 28, 2025 for violation of probation, and he was sentenced on April 3 of the same year.
Immigrant dies while in ICE custody in Atlanta
Following institutional protocols, the ICE Atlanta office notified the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility of the death through the Integrity Coordination Center.
Likewise, the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta was informed by telephone, as established by consular procedure in the event of the death of Mexican nationals in federal custody.
ICE is also required by law to publicly report the death of any person in its custody.
According to U.S. Congressional requirements stipulated in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018, full reports must be posted within 90 days on the official ICE website under Detainee Death Reporting.
Medical conditions and rights in detention
ICE reaffirmed in its statement that it remains committed to providing a safe, humane environment with adequate medical access for all individuals in its custody.
Detainees receive a medical, dental and psychological evaluation within 12 hours of admission to any detention facility, followed by a full health evaluation within 14 days.
The agency assures that detainees have 24-hour access to medical care and that under no circumstances are they denied emergency care.
However, human rights organizations have repeatedly denounced the structural deficiencies in many detention centers, especially those operated by private contractors.
The death of Jesus Molina-Veya reignites the debate over medical care and conditions in immigration detention centers in the United States, especially in a context of tightening immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration this 2025.
ICE is also required by law to publicly report the death of anyone in its custody
