The death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last summer, is reportedly being investigated as a homicide. A medical examiner in Texas is expected to classify the death as such, pending toxicology results, according to reporting from the Washington Post on Friday.
Details of the Incident
The preliminary cause of death, as indicated by a doctor at the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner, is asphyxia due to neck and chest compression. This suggests Lunas Campos did not receive sufficient oxygen due to pressure on his chest and neck. A witness, another detainee at the Camp East Montana facility in El Paso, told the Post he observed at least five guards struggling with Lunas Campos after he resisted entering segregation, citing a lack of medication.
The witness reported seeing guards choking Lunas Campos and hearing him repeatedly say, “No puedo respirar”—Spanish for “I can’t breathe.” Medical staff attempted resuscitation for an hour before pronouncing him dead.
Jeanette Pagan Lopez, the mother of two of Lunas Campos’ children, stated she was contacted by the FBI regarding the investigation and believes his death was a homicide, calling for accountability for those who harmed him.
Political and Agency Response
US Representative Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, responded to the Post’s reporting, stating that Lunas Campos “may have been murdered.” She further linked the death to Republican funding of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as actions taken during the Trump administration.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement claiming Lunas Campos died after attempting to take his own life, stating he “violently resisted” security staff. The statement details a struggle during which he lost consciousness and could not be resuscitated.
Court records indicate Lunas Campos had prior convictions, including aggravated assault with a weapon and first-degree sexual abuse involving a child under 11 years old. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, anticipates the Trump administration will emphasize Lunas Campos’ criminal history.
Concerns About Detention Conditions
Camp East Montana, the facility where Lunas Campos reportedly died, is described as a large tent camp at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. The ACLU and other human rights groups recently demanded its closure, citing reports of beatings, sexual abuse, medical neglect, and other rights violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the investigation?
The El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner is planning to classify Geraldo Lunas Campos’ death as a homicide, pending toxicology results. The FBI is also investigating the incident.
What has DHS said about the death?
DHS claims Lunas Campos died after attempting to take his own life during a struggle with security staff.
What are conditions like at Camp East Montana?
The ACLU and other human rights groups have reported horrific conditions at Camp East Montana, including beatings, sexual abuse, medical neglect, and denial of access to counsel.
Given the ongoing investigation and the conflicting accounts surrounding his death, what further steps might be taken to ensure accountability and address concerns about conditions within ICE detention facilities?
