Mexican national dies while in ICE custody in Clayton County

The cause of death is under investigation. The consulate said they quickly established contact with Sanchez’s family members in Mexico and in the U.S.

In a statement, the consulate said they’ve asked officials to investigate what happened and do what’s necessary to ensure a fast and transparent probe. The consulate is working to have the body returned to Mexico, per the family’s wishes, according to the statement.

“The Mexican government expresses its most sincere condolences to the family of the compatriot and reiterates its commitment to provide consular protection assistance to our community,” the statement says in Spanish.

Sanchez originally was arrested in Richmond County for driving without a license, where ICE issued an immigration detainer with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 7.

He was then scheduled to appear before an immigration judge on Jan. 9, the federal agency said. He was transferred to the detention center pending removal proceedings.

The facility is owned by Clayton County and leased to the GEO Group, a Florida-based corrections company, to run the prison through a contract with the U.S. Justice Department.

A provision in the contract allows ICE to use the space — given it’s proximity to the Immigration Court in downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where the agency can put detainees on deportation flights.

Sanchez originally entered the country near Arizona in December 2023. He was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents the same day and issued a notice to appear, charging him with inadmissibility under federal immigration law, but was released on his own recognizance.

Wednesday’s death marks the third Mexican national and ICE detainee to die in Georgia over the past year.

In May, Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado, 68, died while being transferred to South Georgia’s Stewart Detention Center, which is one of the country’s largest ICE facilities in the country, from a jail in Valdosta. His relatives told The Guardian he had no known preexisting health conditions before his arrest.

In June, Jesus Molina-Veya, also from Mexico, died from apparent suicide while being held at the South Georgia immigrant jail. He was found with a ligature around his neck and unconscious by correction officers.

Molina-Veya’s death was the third death by suicide at Stewart since ICE began detaining immigrants there in 2006.

Since October 2023, 34 people have died while in ICE custody nationwide, including four this month.

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.