ICE under scrutiny: Venezuelan migrant dies during transfer in Georgia, the fourth case in 10 days

A 45-year-old Venezuelan migrant, Jesús Manuel Arenas-Silva, died on July 13 after being found unresponsive during a transfer between two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Georgia. His death marks the fourth such fatality in ICE custody within the state over the past 10 days and the 21st since 2005.

The bus carrying Arenas-Silva departed from the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla and was en route to the Folkston D. Ray Processing Center in Folkston. ICE reported that personnel discovered him unresponsive around 7:46 AM. Staff immediately requested medical assistance and initiated life-saving measures. He was transported to Irwin County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:31 AM. ICE has stated that the suspected cause of death was cardiac arrest, pending an official determination.

Arenas-Silva's family has raised serious concerns, alleging that he did not receive the required medical care. His sister, Sonimar, stated that he suffered from a condition requiring multiple medications. The family claims they informed ICE agents of his medical needs and were only permitted to bring one of his medications. During a subsequent phone call, Arenas-Silva reportedly told his sister he was not receiving his necessary medicine. Sonimar expressed certainty that he "did not receive adequate attention" and vowed to seek justice to prevent similar tragedies.

This account contrasts with ICE's statement, which maintained that Arenas-Silva had access to and received care from professionals during his detention. ICE agents had arrested Arenas-Silva on July 9 at his residence in Dallas, Georgia, pursuant to an unexecuted removal order. He had previously been deemed inadmissible at a port of entry in San Luis, Arizona, in October 2021 and was later found near Calexico, California, after an undocumented entry. An immigration judge ordered his removal to Venezuela on April 27, 2026.

Organizations like Detention Watch Network have highlighted the increasing number of migrant deaths in ICE custody, particularly in Georgia. The family's allegations and the circumstances surrounding Arenas-Silva's death have prompted calls for a thorough investigation into ICE's handling of detainees' medical needs.